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Vanthof reacts to FAO report that $15 minimum wage could eliminate 50,000 jobs

The MPP for Timiskaming-Cochrane says the Financial Accountability Officer is correct for waving the red-flag on the effects of increasing the minimum wage.  The FAO says hiking the hourly rate to $15 an hour will eliminate 50,000 jobs.  However John Vanthof says there are ways to avoid job losses and he adds that’s where the government can step up to the plate.  Vanthof acknowledges there are sectors that will find it difficult to pay the new hourly rate.   But he says the government can remove costs for these businesses to ensure they remain profitable.  He adds these offsets will help pave the way for a larger minimum wage.  Vanthof says it makes no sense to increase the minimum wage if it destroys jobs.  But he says this is avoidable with the right approach from government.   Vanthof says when it comes time to vote on the minimum wage increase, the NDP will support the $15 rate and stand by their decision.  Vanthof, who is the NDP’s finance critic, says the party will continue to work with employers to make sure jobs are not lost because of higher wages.

 

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