An Essex town councillor has some stern words for those opposing a plan to increase Ontario's minimum wage.
Randy Voakes is weighing in on the issue, criticizing local mayors who say that Bill 148, which would increase the minimum wage in the province to $15/hr by January 2019, would encourage spending and drive property taxes up.
Voakes, who represents Essex's Ward 1, tells BlackburnNews.com he'd like to see these elected officials put themselves in the shoes of those working full-time at mimimum wage and struggling to make ends meet.
"I challenge them to put on the Tim Hortons uniform and stand at that window or stand at that counter for 40-plus hours a week," says Voakes. "After the Liberal government gets done with your paycheque next week, bring home $372 approximately after taxes."
Tecumseh Mayor Gary McNamara, for example, has gone on record as wanting small towns and rural areas exempt from Bill 148, saying passage would increase expenditures in Tecumseh by $2.1-million.
Voakes isn't buying that argument, saying that as a business owner himself, he wants his employees paid fairly for quality work done.
"If I give them money in good reward for services rendered, they give it back to my community," says Voakes. "I'm hearing discussions from politicians about 'it's going to increase the tax base by millions of dollars.' Bunk. That's not true."
Voakes says he's been hearing from people in his ward with strong opinions on the issue. He says it's about time elected officials stop pointing fingers and expecting other people to make change happen and actually do it.
Essex Town Council has received the town's budget proposal for 2018 and beyond. It includes a $213,000 contingency for the town's employees if Bill 148 passes. Councillors are reviewing the proposal and will begin budget deliberations within a few weeks.
Bill 148 has passed second reading at Queen's Park, and is likely to pass a third reading and be enacted into law by Premier Kathleen Wynne.
