Ministry of Labour

Minimum Wage Goes Up Monday

A Better Standard Of Living For Hard Working Families

    TORONTO, March 28  -

    NEWS

    When minimum wage earners in Ontario go to work Monday, they will be
getting a raise.
    Ontario is raising the minimum wage to $8.75 on March 31, 2008. This is
the fifth increase since 2004.
    The minimum wage (http://www.labour.gov.on.ca/info/minimumwage/) remained
static between 1995 and 2004.
    The McGuinty government began implementing annual increases early in its
first term. Minimum wage:
    

 — Increased from $6.85 in 2004 to $8.00 in 2007
 — Will reach $10.25 in 2010
    

Contact Info

    Phasing in these increases balances the needs of hard working families
with the needs of the small businesses that create jobs.

    QUOTES

    "Increasing the minimum wage is a key component of the McGuinty
government's plan to reduce poverty in Ontario by expanding economic
opportunity for hard working families," said Labour Minister Brad Duguid.

    

    QUICK FACTS

 — The minimum wage has risen $1.15 (17 per cent) between 2004 and 2007
 — By 2010, raises will have totalled $3.40 (50 per cent) since 2004
 — The major industries employing minimum wage earners are:
       accommodation and food, retail trade, and agriculture.

    LEARN MORE

    Further information on minimum wage increases
    (http://www.labour.gov.on.ca/info/minimumwage/)

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