Ontario minimum wage – Template letter to send Ontario government

Published June 5, 2017

The Ontario government has announced a drastic 32% increase in the general minimum wage, which will result in a $15 minimum wage on Jan. 1, 2019.

This is just one of the announcements made by Kathleen Wynne’s Ontario government in an overhaul of the province’s labour laws.

Tell your MPP to do the right thing and vote against a 32% increase in minimum wage. You may use the letter below as a template:

*

Dear           ,

 

Let’s not play politics with jobs

I am writing to express my opposition to the Liberal government’s announcement of an astronomical 32% increase in minimum wage:  a total hit of $1.8 billion to the province’s restaurant and foodservices community.

You do the math

  • The average restaurant owner in Ontario has 10 employees and annual revenues of $689,000
  • They earn a pre-tax profit of 3.4% (the lowest of any Canadian province), or $23,450 per year
  • A 32% wage hike will cost $47,000 per year, more than wiping out their profits*

(*Source: Statistics Canada and Restaurants Canada)

The Ontario minimum wage announcement is devastating to the thousands of small business owners who hire and train students, newcomers to Ontario, and older workers seeking employment after layoff and termination. This will lead to fewer jobs, fewer hours, and fewer employers.

It’s important to note that the dramatic increase in menu prices that would be required to offset this unprecedented wage hike is not an option, as consumers are very price sensitive.

Do the Right Thing

I am asking you to listen to your constituents, many of whom own and operate small, independent, family-run businesses, who fuel the Ontario economy, create jobs, and provide an important sense of community for all citizens of the province.

Amend the legislation and let your constituents help you grow the economy and create jobs for the people of Ontario. Balanced and reasonable policy is what is needed in Ontario.
Sincerely,

wpengine

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