“It’s a shame that the Ontario government has known about these problems for many years without taking necessary action. It’s now Wynne’s turn to listen — and act.” This is one of many strong statements in today’s Toronto Star editorial calling on Kathleen Wynne to take action on unpaid wages and precarious work.
The Star goes on to call for Wynne to follow recommendations in the Law Commission report released last week, including ensuring resources for enforcement in the 2013 budget. The editorial states “It’s the last chance for the government to make good on worker protection promises made in its 2008 five-year anti-poverty strategy. After five years, it’s finally time for Ontario to move in this crucial area.”
Mounting evidence shows that ensuring good jobs for our communities requires strong employment standards and a decent minimum wage. Another feature in the Toronto Star today highlights how poverty is increasing in regions like Peel. A recent study found that 45% of neighbourhoods in Peel are now low-income or very low-income. This is up from just 2 low-income neighbourhoods in 1980. Meanwhile middle-income neighbourhoods are declining dramatically.
These studies show a lack of access to good paying-jobs is fundamentally shaping our neighbourhoods and cities. This is not the Ontario we want to be building for our children – it’s time for an immediate minimum wage increase and better protections for workers against wage theft. It’s time for Kathleen Wynne to act.