Ontario’s minimum wage increases Sunday

By Olivia Timm

BELLEVILLE – Ontario’s minimum wage increases to $11.60 on Sunday.

The minimum wage increase is part of the Fair Workplaces and Better Jobs Act.

The wage will increase to $14 on Jan. 1, 2018 and to $15 on Jan. 1, 2019, and will continue to go up annually at the the rate of inflation, according to the release.

The plan for Ontario’s minimum wage increase will:

• allow part-time and temporary workers to be paid the same hourly wage as full-time workers.
• give workers paid sick days.
• allow workers to get at least three weeks of vacation time after five years of working with the same employer.

Special minimum wage rates for liquor servers, students under the age of 18, hunting and fishing guides and individuals who work from home, will also increase as of Sunday.