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MPP Lou Rinaldi
The Liberal MPP for Northumberland-Quinte West admits raising the minimum wage will create some issues for business owners, but overall, will be better for the people of Ontario.
Lou Rinaldi says if you put more money into people’s pockets, they’ll spend more money, which will help to improve the province’s economy.
Rinaldi also tells Quinte News, the province will be looking at ways to help ease the burden on businesses, especially small ones, who will have to adjust their budgets and payrolls.
The minimum wage will rise to $14 an hour in 2018 and then to $15 an hour in 2019, but some businesses say they won’t be able to afford the pay hike.
Belleville Chamber of Commerce
That’s in line with opinion from the CEO of the Belleville Chamber of Commerce who gave a mixed reaction to Quinte News.
CEO Jill Raycroft says there has been much discussion among board members and they do want to see a prosperious community but the cost of the increase will be born by everyone.
Raycroft says she is pleased that the increase is not going to 15 dollars right away because businesses that have been planning for increases on an inflation based schedule were prepared for those increases.
She says the increase takes away the ability for some employers to provide performance-based raises.
Community Development Council of Quinte
Meanwhile, the head of the Community Development Council of Quinte says raising the minimum wage to $15 an hour by 2019 is good news all around.
Ruth Ingersoll tells Quinte News she’s spoken to local business owners who say they can’t afford the increase, but says more money in people’s pockets is a good thing for the economy in the Quinte Region.
Ingersoll adds the pay raise should make workers more dedicated, should help to reduce staff turnover, since wages will be more competitive and will improve the quality of life locally overall.
MPP Todd Smith
Prince Edward Hastings MPP Todd Smith is concerned about what he calls a “massive wage increase in just six months.”
Commenting on the provincial government’s announced minimum wage increase, Smith says employers are already dealing with a number of major issues which affect their business life.
#1 TODD ON MIN WAGE
Smith says he doesn’t object to people making a good wage.
He says the government plans to hold committee sessions across the province during the summer to discuss the effects of the minimum wage increase, and the change in workplace legislation, and if there is a stop in Belleville or Kingston, anyone who wants to get their concerns to the government can call his office for assistance.
