Ontario minimum wage rises to $16.55 an hour; advocates say still not a living wage

With Ontario’s minimum wage increasing to $16.55 in October, small business advocates are warning the province the wages could impact bottom lines, while others believe the increase isn’t enough to combat inflation. Global’s Colin D’Mello reports.

Ontario’s minimum wage rises today to $16.55 an hour.

The increase is tied to inflation, and is up 6.8 per cent from the previous rate of $15.50 an hour.

The province first announced the increase in March, in order to give businesses time to plan.

Labour advocates and opposition critics have said Ontario should introduce a $20 minimum wage.

The Ontario Living Wage Network says a living wage in the Greater Toronto Area is around $23 an hour.

The Progressive Conservatives cancelled a planned minimum wage increase from $14 to $15 per hour after they took office in 2018, then raised it to $15 in January of last year and tied later increases to inflation.

© 2023 The Canadian Press

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