Tied to consumer price index, the increase is meant to help workers keep up with rising inflation
The proposed wage increase to $15.50 per hour would take effect on Oct. 1. Ontarians are expected to go to the polls in June, and all three major parties are already promising some form of increase to the minimum wage in response to high living costs.
The province said the minimum wage raise is tied to the Ontario Consumer Price Index. McNaughton said the government would make an announcement each April about the planned minimum wage increase, based on inflation at that time, with the change to take effect in October. The Progressive Conservatives then raised the wage to $15 per hour in January 2022. Ford said when announcing the change that it was done to make life more affordable for people, and that the pandemic had changed the situation.