salary

Wednesday November 3, 2021

November 3, 2021

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Wednesday November 3, 2021

Doug Ford’s minimum wage move signals it’s election time in Ontario

Here’s what’s happened to the minimum wage in Ontario since Premier Doug Ford took office: 

•2018: 0 per cent increase.

•2019: 0 per cent increase.

•2020: 1.8 per cent increase (up 25 cents to $14.25/hr). 

•2021: 0.7 per cent increase (up 10 cents, to $14.35/hr).

Series: Young Doug Ford

That record is just one reason why many in this province were both surprised by and skeptical of Ford’s campaign-style announcement Tuesday that his government will boost the minimum wage to $15 per hour effective Jan. 1, 2022. 

The date is precisely three years after Ontario’s minimum wage was due to hit $15/hour under legislation brought in by Kathleen Wynne’s Liberal government. Back in 2018, Ford slammed that bill as “job killing,” his government repealed it and also froze the minimum wage for two years. 

Given all that, it’s only natural that Ford was grilled by reporters at Tuesday’s news conference on why a minimum wage hike that he considered such a job killer then is great now. 

January 12, 2019

“Things were a lot different back in 2018,” Ford told the news conference. “We didn’t have the pandemic, a worldwide pandemic.” 

How different were things in 2018? Not only did Ford’s government freeze the minimum wage, it also took away a guarantee of two paid sick days annually for all employees, scrapped an equal-pay-for-equal-work law and eliminated rules making it easier for workers in some sectors to join unions.

None of this was reflected in Ford’s tone or words at Tuesday’s news conference. “This government will always remain on the side of the workers,” he said.

October 15, 2021

I wrote two weeks ago about how Ford and the Progressive Conservatives are attempting a political makeover ahead of the election next June 2 by portraying themselves as pro-worker. Tuesday’s announcement further proves that this is a key piece of the PCs’ strategy for winning re-election.

The Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) didn’t see the minimum wage hike coming, calling it ‘unexpected’ in a news release. 

“The Ontario government’s surprise decision to increase the minimum wage without consultation comes at the worst possible time for small businesses,” said a statement from CFIB president Dan Kelly. (CBC) 

 

Monday March 19, 2012

 

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator, Monday March 19, 2012

Peggy Chapman makes sunshine salary list

Peggy Chapman’s salary is once again causing controversy after Mayor Bob Bratina confirmed his chief of staff was paid more than $100,000 last year.

Bratina revealed Friday that Chapman is on the soon-to-be-released 2011 “sunshine list” for public sector employees who made $100,000 or more — even though her salary last year was $90,000.

t’s the second time in several months Chapman’s pay has incited debate. In December, councillors considered slapping Bratina with a formal censure for raising Chapman’s salary by 33 per cent, to $120,000 from $90,000.

“I believe the public will be outraged by the continued drama related to the mayor’s office,” said Councillor Sam Merulla. “We must focus our energy on priorities that matter. Unfortunately, the preceding development and drama is the antithesis of our priorities.”

Rumours were swirling around City Hall this week that Chapman’s name appeared on the sunshine list, but initially neither Chapman nor Bratina could confirm how much she made last year.

Chapman said she hadn’t checked her T4 or done her taxes.

In an email sent to The Spectator Friday morning, Bratina said his top aide was paid $100,967 last year. He explained that most of the extra pay she received last year was an $8,000 payout for missed vacation time, while her raise, which took effect in November 2011, provided the extra $3,000 that bumped her onto the sunshine list. (Source: Hamilton Spectator) 

Letters to the Editor 

An excerpt of a lengthy email from the Mayor, Bob Bratina, to Hamilton Spectator managers and made public in an Andrew Dreschel column:

“…unrelenting and in many cases completely false or misleading news coverage, editorial comments, and ignorant attacks on my character, and that of my chief of staff through immoral and unethical use of editorial cartoons.”

“I hope some day your wives and family experience the unhappiness you have caused my wife and family, destroying our enjoyment of this past Christmas with the unfounded attacks on my employee’s compensation…”

Thursday December 21, 2006

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Thursday December 21, 2006

McGuinty accuses NDP of theatrics over pay hike

Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty accused the NDP on Tuesday of using unprecedented stalling tactics and theatrics to delay a 25-per-cent salary hike for provincial legislators.

New Democrats have been colourful in expressing their anger over the pay boost for members of the provincial parliament, announced in a surprise move by McGuinty’s government last week. The NDP has been trying to force the related bill to a committee for public hearings.

The provincial legislature had been scheduled to rise on Dec. 14, but the government announced it would sit another week in an effort to pass the pay hike.

Before a Liberal caucus meeting Tuesday, McGuinty invited Ontarians to “grab some popcorn” to watch the NDP’s performance.

“…It is really without precedent in the annals of parliamentary traditions,” he said of the New Democrats tactics.

The legislation would see the MPPs earning 75 per cent of what their federal counterparts make and would increase a member’s base salary to $110,775 from $88,771. (CBC)