Premier Kathleen Wynne was in Windsor Friday to talk to labour and industry about the impacts of minimum wage increases and trade.
During her visit to Windsor she visited the University of Windsor, St. Clair College and met with Mayor Drew Dilkens at city hall.
After a roundtable discussion with industry, business and labour leaders Wynne spoke to media about Bill 148, increases to minimum wage, and the supports for business that will come along with the bill.
"I can't make a list for you now but we will be bringing forward a plan. We want to be fair to businesses and as well to employees," said Wynne.
Windsor and Essex County Chamber of Commerce President Matt Marchand says he's pushing for a five year phase-in of the bill to allow businesses to prepare for the increase. He says businesses will find it harder to be competitive with an increase to minimum wage in addition to cap and trade policies and high electricity prices.
"We don't need to be the cheapest but we need to be competitive and that's why today, in addition to the five-year phase in of minimum wage, we have to start looking at cost offsets not just for small business but cost offsets for everyone so we can keep those jobs here in Windsor-Essex," said Marchand.
Wynne has already announced plans to implement $15/hr minimum wage by 2019.
