Increased minimum wage raises reactions

Windsor residents have been commenting on the latest raise in minimum wage.

 

On Oct. 1, minimum wage in Ontario increased to $11.25, 25 cents more than last year. The province’s new minimum wage is now the second highest in Canada. The Northwest Territories wage is the highest at $12.50. New Brunswick is at the bottom of the list with a $10.30 wage. Michael Toney, a St. Clair College student, said the raise gives support for some employees.

 

“The increase is everything because it’s already hard trying to make a living working minimum wage as it is,” Toney said. “Your paycheck is done before you get it, so every increase is good.”

 

For Bobby-Jo Musey, 31, a mother of four, she said the raise is beneficial to those with financial issues.

 

“It’s good for people with low income and it will increase what they have,” said Musey. “It’s a small benefit because it will go up a little bit and people will get more.”

 

At the same time, the quarter increase is not enough to satisfy. Toney is in contact with people who work at multiple jobs due to minimum wage. He said he’s sympathetic to them and think they deserve more than they are paid.

 

“You can’t survive working one job minimum wage because that’s just impossible,” Toney said. “As much as they put it all on the line everyday, economic problems still prevents them from getting what is really due to them.”

 

Musey predicted Ontario’s minimum wage would not increase in the few years to come.

 

“I don’t think it will with the way the economy is going right now.”

 

Toney disagreed with the wage remaining at $11.25. He said it can happen in a short amount of time.

 

“If the government finds a way to control these financial issues, then I can see them raise it to $12 in about three years,” said Toney.