On October 1st, Simcoe County’s workforce will be among the 800,000 who will be affected by Ontario’s minimum wage increase to $17.60 per hour. That means a raise of 40 cents per hour and about $3.20 more per eight-hour shift. “With the increase, it’s better, but I wouldn’t necessarily say it’s sufficient enough yet,” said Payton Erwin, a local employee. The minimum wage increase has bumped up pay for the lowest paid workers by about 25 per cent over the last seven years. Pegged to the consumer price index, it’s roughly equal to the rate of inflation, serving to keep worker’s buying power the same as prices go up. “It’s still really expensive to me,” added Erwin. The increase also means about $800 more per year for fulltime staff. The Barrie Chamber of Commerce says it is the least that employers can do. “If you’re in business and you can’t afford to pay your employees, you need to re-evaluate where it is that you’re going,” said Paul Markle, chamber CEO. “Employees are the lifeblood of your business and deserve to be put somewhere ahead of other expenses.” Business owners will have to decide to either absorb the cost or pass it along to their customers. For Andrea Chiodo, vice-president, creative of Flying Monkeys Craft Brewery, says higher wages for staff is a price she is happy to pay. “If our employees are feeling valued, they have finical success, they’re able to contribute to their communities, live better lifestyles,” said Chiodo. “We’re for that.” More than 800,000 people in Ontario work for minimum wage, mostly in retail, accommodation and food service. Some restaurant workers, like Erwin, also earn tips. However, she emphasized that the cost of living is still too high. “With the increase in groceries, increase in rent, it’s becoming unlivable for people who are just making minimum wage,” she added.
