Minimum wage mentioned at Ont. pre-budget consultations in Kitchener
Posted Jan 19, 2018 08:19:19 AM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
The Wynne government’s pre-budget consultations rolled into Kitchener yesterday.
The Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs met at the Holiday Inn on Fairway Road to hear concerns from local groups ahead of this year’s budget, making their case to the Wynne government when it comes to investments, tax changes, and more.
With two universities and a college in the region, it’s no surprise education was a big issue around the table.
MPP Mike Colle, Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Labour says it was a clear take away from the meeting.
“The concern here is about the university sector, and ensuring we continue to invest in our university like Waterloo and Laurier.”
Colle says one of the biggest issues has been the increase in minimum wage.
But Colle says the government will continue to stand its ground.
“We said well, people deserve a living wage, that is our response. People need to put food on the table and they can’t do that on 11 dollar an hour.”
Colle adds yesterday’s meeting raised a number of constructive ideas they hope to take back to Queens Park.
“If we hear a good idea here, we heard a couple good ideas this morning, we pass it on to the Minister right away and say can we get a report back on that.”
