Ontario’s Liberal government is raising the minimum wage by 32% to $15 per hour over the next one and a half years with some breaks promised to businesses but with a firm timetable. Neighbourhood businesses of all sizes have indicated that they need more time to absorb the increase. Also, the governments own independent financial accountability office (FAO) says it could cost upwards of 50,000 jobs.
Given this scenario, a majority (61%) of Torontonians do not want the government to move ahead with the minimum wage plan as currently envisioned. This majority is comprised of 44% of Torontonians want a longer phase-in period while another 17% think the initiative should be cancelled altogether.
This compares with just 39% who believe the Ontario Liberal government should move ahead with its plans to raise the minimum wage 32% over the next one and a half years.
Of those who would like to see a longer phase-in period (44%), they’re more likely to be women (48%) and young (47% aged 18 – 34) Torontonians. Of those who would like to cancel the initiative altogether (17%), they are the least educated (27%) and men (20%).
Of those who would like the government to move ahead and stick to the timetable (39%), they are more likely to be those who rent (48%), regularly take the TTC (45%) and are middle aged (42% – 35 – 54).
As for those who are full-time/part-time workers, 13% indicate that if the minimum wage goes to $15 per hour they’ll likely lose their job – with the lowest educated Torontonians (23%) expressing this view the most.