Ontario’s Business Advocate Supports Government’s Approach to Minimum Wage

(Toronto, September 14, 2018) – Today, Rocco Rossi, President and CEO of the Ontario Chamber of Commerce released the following statement in response to the Minister of Labour’s op-ed on minimum wage.

“We are delighted to hear Minister Scott’s response to the sudden increase in minimum wage implemented by the previous government. This is an excellent first step towards alleviating the burden felt by Ontario businesses due to the many unintended but predictable consequences of Bill 148, the Fair Workplaces, Better Jobs Act, 2017.

“Just last week we saw a dramatic decline in over 80,000 jobs across the province. Our members have made it clear that the many unprecedented provisions in Bill 148 have led to a substantial decrease in staff hours and capital investment as well as an increased reliance on automation.

“At a time when 77% of Ontario businesses say that access to talent is critical to their competitiveness, we need to create an economy that connects workers to jobs and this begins with the repeal of Bill 148.

“We will continue to encourage the Government of Ontario to work collaboratively with Ontario’s employer community to strengthen economic prosperity throughout Ontario.”

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For more information please contact:
Ceara Copps – Edwards
Communications Advisor
Ontario Chamber of Commerce
647-243-3562
cearacoppsedwards@occ.ca

About the Ontario Chamber of Commerce
For more than a century, the Ontario Chamber of Commerce (OCC) has been the independent, non-partisan voice of Ontario business. The OCC’s mission is to support economic growth in Ontario by defending business priorities at Queen’s Park on behalf of its network’s diverse 60,000 members.