Thunder Bay Advocacy Group Says Ontario’s Minimum Wage Increase Falls Short for Local Workers
Ontario’s general minimum wage increased by 60 cents on Oct. 1, bringing it to $17.20 per hour. However, advocates in Thunder Bay argue that this boost is still inadequate.
The Lakehead Social Planning Council, part of the Ontario Living Wage Network, points out that the new wage remains more than $2 short of what they define as a “living wage.”
“There isn’t anywhere in Ontario where a full-time minimum wage worker can cover all their expenses,” said Marie Klassen, executive director of the council. “While the wage increase is a positive step, many minimum-wage workers still have to juggle two or three jobs to make ends meet.”
The Ontario Living Wage Network determines a living wage based on the local costs of necessities like housing, food, and transportation. In Thunder Bay, the living wage is set at $19.80 per hour, while in Toronto, it is calculated at $25.05 per hour for 2023.
Klassen emphasized that a living wage is not just about paying bills but also about “living a decent life.” She added, “Necessities today include more than just shelter and food—they also include access to high-speed internet, appropriate clothing, and entertainment.”
Ontario’s minimum wage has seen changes in recent years. Under Kathleen Wynne’s Liberal government, the minimum wage rose to $14 per hour on Jan. 1, 2018, after being stagnant at $11.60 in 2017. Wynne’s administration had planned further increases, aiming for $15 in 2019 with annual adjustments for inflation. However, when the Ford government took power in mid-2018, it postponed these hikes.
It wasn’t until 2022 that the Ford government raised the minimum wage to $15 per hour and linked future increases to the consumer price index (CPI). A Ministry of Labour spokesperson claims this approach offers “stability for workers and predictability for businesses.
Critics argue that the delay left the minimum wage insufficient, even with the inflation adjustments. Still, the province promotes its minimum wage as one of the highest in the country. According to the Ministry of Labour, this year’s 3.9 percent increase could mean up to $1,355 more annually for a full-time minimum wage worker.
The Lakehead Social Planning Council not only evaluates living wage rates based on local expenses but also provides community services, such as its annual income tax clinic. Additionally, the organization is conducting its Point in Time Count this month, measuring both sheltered and unsheltered homelessness in Thunder Bay, which begins Saturday evening and runs through Sunday.
