Norm Miller is asking the province to reconsider the layout of Bill 148.
While at Queen’s Park on Tuesday, the Parry Sound Muskoka MPP said a proposed increase in minimum wage over the next two years will likely lead to a spike in job losses across the province. The Ontario Chamber of Commerce has warned if this bill is passed as is, it could put over 180,000 workers at risk of losing their jobs after minimum wage increases to $15 in 2019.
He said Ontario Chamber Vice President Karl Baldauf recently presented a better option for this bill.
Over the summer Miller sent out a survey to businesses in Muskoka. Over 200 people responded with the majority saying they’d need to raise prices and cut jobs to keep up with the proposed wage increase.
Bill 148 or the Fair Workplaces, Better Jobs Act would increase provincial wages to $14 in January and then $15 in 2019. The bill has not been passed yet.