Now, while it's easy to suggest it's not enough, and it took too long, let's put partisanship aside for a moment, and appreciate this step forward.
Originally, the $10 minimum wage proposal was brought forth by Cherri DiNovo, which the Liberals then took, and transformed into the graduated minimum wage increase. It would be nice if the Liberals recognized her efforts on this, but don't hold your breath.
The good news is:
The Liberals did not succumb to business pressure in a time of economic turmoil to push back the raise.
It is now the highest minimum wage in North America.
It's a very significant increase over the $6,85 of 2004. (49% increase).
I'm pleased with the progress there, thanks to the efforts of both the Liberals and the NDP.
The thing that really needs focus is the pathetic amount Ontario Works offers.
Links:
[1] http://rabble.ca/print/babble/labour-and-consumption/minimum-wage-set-go-1025-march-31st#comment-1121496
[2] http://rabble.ca/print/babble/labour-and-consumption/minimum-wage-set-go-1025-march-31st#comment-1121502
[3] http://rabble.ca/print/babble/labour-and-consumption/minimum-wage-set-go-1025-march-31st#comment-1121804
[4] http://rabble.ca/user
[5] http://rabble.ca/user/register
Does this effect servers too? Waiter/Waitress etc..
Servers will be getting $8.90
http://www.labour.gov.on.ca/info/minimumwage/
I call myself a job activist and worry about minimum wage all the time. The increase of minimum wage to $10.25 is about one quarter of a percent of the Ontario economy in inflation but because most everyone has someone in the family working for minimum wage these days it's a transfer within the family for the most part. So actually there's almost no cost to family.
In an economy that is doing better such as Alberta prerecession there are less people working for low wages. Wages below $12 are just marginal businesses, exactly what you are supposed to be protecting workers from with minimum wage. In Alberta the legislated minimum wage should be $12. That is still a low level, comparable to Ontario's $10.25. Going forward there will be job creation we think and Canada should approach Alberta's level of economic performance. The legislated wage of $12 would be a low fence against worst employers at that point.