Ontario's Minimum Wage Goes Up Tomorrow
March 30, 2009 12:39 PM
McGuinty Government Helps Hard Working Families
Ontario is bringing in the sixth consecutive annual increase to the minimum wage-raising it to $9.50, effective tomorrow.
The McGuinty government began implementing annual increases in 2004. Minimum wage:- Increased from $6.85 in 2004 to $8.75 in 2008
- Will reach $10.25 in 2010, a 50 per cent increase since 2004
Increasing the minimum wage is part of Breaking the Cycle: Ontario's Poverty Reduction Strategy, which will reduce the number of children living in poverty by 25 per cent over 5 years - lifting 90,000 kids out of poverty - by boosting benefits for low-income families and enhancing publicly-funded education.
QUICK FACTS
- The minimum wage remained static in Ontario between 1995 and 2004.
- The major industries employing minimum wage earners are: accommodation and food, retail trade, and agriculture.
LEARN MORE
CONTACTS
- Susan McConnell
Minister’s Office
416-326-7710
Ministry of Labour
ontario.ca/labour
ontario.ca/labour
"We are helping hard-working Ontarians maintain a decent standard of living. A fair minimum wage is good for workers."
– Peter Fonseca
Minister Of Labour
"This increase will mean more money for workers at the lowest end of the wage scale. Along with the proposed speed up of the Ontario Child Benefit this July, it is another step forward in the implementation of our Poverty Reduction Strategy and our efforts to improve the quality of life for Ontario's working families."
– Deb Matthews
Minister Of Children and Youth Services
Communities
