(CNW) The Ontario government is raising the minimum wage today for the third time since taking office, said Labour Minister Steve Peters.
"We are providing Ontario's lowest-paid and most vulnerable workers with the third increase in the minimum wage in three years," said Peters. "It is to Ontario's economic advantage to see that our workers are paid a fair wage."
The general minimum wage will be raised to $7.75 per hour on Feb. 1. There will be a further increase to $8 per hour Feb. 1, 2007. Minimum wage is currently $7.45 per hour.
Other minimum wage rates will also increase. The minimum wage for:
- Students under 18 years old and employed for not more than 28 hours a
week will rise from $6.95 to $7.25 per hour
- Liquor servers will increase from $6.50 to $6.75 per hour
- Hunting and fishing guides currently paid a minimum of $37.25 for
less than five consecutive hours in a day and $74.50 for five or more
hours in a day (whether or not the hours are consecutive) will also
increase to $38.75 and $77.50 respectively.
"The increase is part of the government's investment in people," said Peters. "By phasing in the minimum wage increases, we can help these workers benefit from Ontario's economic growth while keeping Ontario businesses competitive."
