Thank you for writing to me regarding the Changing Workplaces Review. I appreciate the time you took to share your input.
What I hear all the way across the province is that people are anxious about their jobs and their futures. With all the change and uncertainty in the economy, and the nature of work itself, it’s tough to feel as though you are getting ahead right now. It’s a funny thing. The evidence tells us we are making progress. We’re outperforming other jurisdictions but, while business is expanding and creating wealth, not everyone is feeling it. Instead it feels like a time of volatility and change.
And with this uncertainty, we have to protect our people as best we can. We need to address the concerns of those who worry about falling behind, even as they work so hard to get ahead. And we need to create opportunities so people feel confident about the future. I truly believe that is the role of government. You’ve heard me say it before — I believe government must be a force for good.
We started by fighting hard for better pensions to ensure that our workers can retire with security. We led the way nationally. And the improved CPP will mean a better retirement. The good news is that we have the ability to continue to support families and build opportunities because we balanced our Budget.
You’ve heard a lot from us over the past months. I’ve been talking about different elements of our plan to build a better Ontario based on fairness.
Free tuition, expanded child care, free prescription drugs for anyone under 25 — we have focused on strengthening health care and education. We’ve also announced a basic income pilot, and our Fair Hydro and Fair Housing plans.
I recently announced our plan for Fair Workplaces and Better Jobs. This includes raising the minimum wage, ensuring part-time workers are paid the same hourly wage as full-time workers, introducing paid sick days for every worker and stepping up enforcement of employment laws. The economy has changed. Work has changed. It’s time our laws and protections for workers changed too.
Too many families are struggling to get by on part-time, contract work or unstable employment. With these changes, every worker in Ontario will be treated fairly, paid a living wage and have the opportunities they deserve.
Whether it’s child care or health care, rent control or workplace fairness, these initiatives all have the same thing in common. The motivation behind each of them is the same. They will help build an Ontario where greater opportunity is available for everyone and greater security is achievable for everyone.
As my colleague the Honourable Kevin Flynn, Minister of Labour, would also be interested in your comments, I have passed along a copy of your correspondence to him for his information.
Thank you once again for writing. Please accept my best wishes.
Kathleen Wynne
Premier of Ontario
c: The Honourable Kevin Flynn
