Local MPP Randy Pettapiece says small businesses in the riding are “raising red flags” about proposed changes to provincial labour legislation.
On July 20, he participated in a public meeting of the all-party Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs in Hamilton.
The committee is studying the Liberal government’s Bill 148, which would make changes to Ontario’s employment and labour laws – including an increase of the minimum wage to $15 per hour by January of 2019.
“Small businesses in Perth-Wellington are raising red flags about Bill 148,” he said. “Some are warning they could be forced to reduce work hours, lay off employees, and possibly even close their businesses altogether.”
As Progressive Conservative caucus critic for community and social services, Pettapiece says he has also heard from the leadership of social service agencies.
Many have not seen a base funding increase in nine years, the MPP states in a press release.
At committee, Pettapice raised examples of affected local agencies that will be facing huge new costs.
“I have met with several non-profit leaders about Bill 148 and they are extremely worried about being able to sustain services,” Pettapiece noted after the meeting.
“People with disabilities and other vulnerable groups rely on these agencies. It seems the government hasn’t even thought about them.”
Pettapiece also contends Bill 148 will put “added strain” on Ontario families and business owners, “who are already facing among the highest hydro rates in North America.”
Meanwhile, Liberal MPPs are travelling across the province gathering input on the proposed legislation.
Last week, they made stops in Thunder Bay, North Bay, Ottawa, Kingston, and Windsor, getting feedback from workers, small businesses and academics.
The Liberal Caucuas Service Bureau issued a press release on July 17 providing comments from Ontarians who addressed the group.
“I applaud this government in taking a leadership role in creating decent work for all Ontarians. All workers will benefit from these bold and much-needed changes,” stated Jodi Nesbitt, president of Unifor Local 240.
“Many business owners would prefer that their employees didn’t need to choose to remain in poverty, just so that they can stay and help build the owner’s business” Bruce Taylor, president of Envrio-Stewards Inc., told the panel.
“Employers motivation may be their top line of sales, as the quality of their product or service is dependent on the experience level and commitment level of their staff.
“It could also be their bottom line, due to the cost of their key staff recruiting and training staff over and over for the same positions.”
Ontario NDP Labour critic Cindy Forster says the NDP will be tabling a package of amendments to strengthen the government’s bill, which Forester says doesn’t go far enough and misses the mark.
“We’ve spent the last two weeks hearing from workers, unions, community members and business owners on the government’s proposed legislation, and the message we’re hearing on all sides is clear: this bill has more loopholes and exemptions than actual protections,” Forster stated in a July 21 press release.
“It does not provide stability to the growing number of workers in unstable jobs.”
