Happy New Year!
Today, Ontario Premier Doug Ford finally brought in the $15 general minimum wage that he cancelled back in 2018 and kept frozen for two years. Had Ford not cancelled $15 in the first place, the minimum wage would now be $15.75. All the same, $15 will offer some relief to those of us in minimum wage jobs.
Share on Facebook and Twitter. Read our Minimum Wage fact sheet and other resources.
In the hospitality sector where servers have relied on tips to get by, there is more good news. The subminimum wage for liquor servers has been eliminated, raising their pay up from $12.55 to the $15 general minimum wage. Students under 18 years of age who work 28 hours or less per week still receive a subminimum wage but it has increased from $13.50 to $14.10.
The Federal government also brought in a $15 federal minimum wage on December 29, 2021. Workers in federally regulated sectors like trucking, air transportation, and telecommunications who used to get the minimum wage of whatever province they lived in will now get $15 an hour. In some provinces, the minimum wage is lower than $12. If we keep organizing together, this could raise the minimum wage in many provinces.
If you work for minimum wage, make sure your paycheque includes this change! Take a look at our Minimum Wage fact sheet for more information (available in several languages). Give us a call on our Workers’ Rights Phone Line at 416-531-0778 if you have questions about what minimum wage you are entitled to or if you need support.
We know $15 is not enough to live on! That’s why we are fighting for a $20 minimum wage for all workers. Join the Justice For Workers campaign and sign on to support our agenda for decent work! Hope your new year is off to a great start and we look forward to organizing with you this year!