For immediate release                                                                                                                 November 2, 2021

Statement

Timing and Lack of Consultation on Minimum Wage Hike Disruptive to Mississauga Businesses

Business Caught Flat Footed with Departure from Schedule Wage Increases

(Mississauga – November 2, 2021) – The Mississauga Board of Trade (MBOT) stands with the Ontario Chamber of Commerce (OCC)  in expressing our deep concern about the recently proposed increase to the minimum wage at a time when many small businesses are least prepared to absorb it after months of revenue losses and mounting debt.

Today, Rocco Rossi, President & CEO, Ontario Chamber of Commerce, released the following statement in reaction to the Government of Ontario’s proposed minimum wage hike set for January 1, 2022.

“We are in favour of fair compensation and wage increases that are planned and done in consultation with the business community so that businesses have time to plan and implement the changes. We also recognize that workers have been impacted by the pandemic and higher cost of living.”

“Many businesses are still grappling with the ongoing impacts of the pandemic, including cashflow constraints and the increased cost of doing business; this is no time to add to their costs. The way the proposed changes are being implemented, leaving employers with less than two months to plan, will have considerable administrative and financial impact amidst a pandemic and after 20 months of duress.

“We are disappointed in the lack of consultation on such a significant policy shift and departure from the scheduled wage increases. It is dangerous to bring in major new labour reforms without addressing or protecting against unintended consequences, such as job losses, rising consumer costs, service cuts, and economic hardship for businesses and our greater economy.

“We ask the Government of Ontario to work with us and other business organizations to ensure that a sudden and unplanned minimum wage hike does not do more harm than good. The government needs to re-evaluate the timeline and consider debt forgiveness for impacted businesses to support this unanticipated change in policy.

“We look forward to working with the government in reviewing the current minimum wage, to ensure any increases are tied to fair and transparent reasons, with sufficient notice to allow business owners to prepare.”

The Mississauga Board of Trade (MBOT) also commented on today’s announcement.

“Many small businesses in Mississauga will be significantly impacted in 2022 by this announcement,” said Trevor McPherson, President & CEO, MBOT.  “After the devastating impact of the COVID19 pandemic on the very businesses that will be most affected by this large increase to minimum wage, we hope they will be able to survive next year.”

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About the Ontario Chamber of Commerce

For more than a century, the Ontario Chamber of Commerce (OCC) has been the independent, non-partisan, indispensable partner of Ontario business. The OCC’s mission is to support economic growth in Ontario by defending business priorities at Queen’s Park on behalf of its network’s diverse 60,000 members.

About the Mississauga Board of Trade

Since being established in 1961, MBOT has played an important leadership role serving and representing the interests of business of all sizes and sectors in our community.

Mississauga is Canada’s sixth largest city and third largest in Ontario – with a population of over 700,000 residents and more than 50,000 businesses employing over 440,000 people, including 60 Fortune 500 Canadian headquarters. Mississauga is where successful companies choose to do business.  MBOT’s large, diverse and active membership has made us one of the most vibrant business associations in Canada.

As the “Voice of Business” we advocate on policy issues that impact local business at all levels of government and are influential in helping to shape policy decisions. MBOT also offers a wide variety of valuable business services and professional development programs, networking events and marketing opportunities, to help business grow, prosper, and get connected.

For more information, please contact:

Michelle Eaton

Vice President, Public Affairs, Ontario Chamber of Commerce

[email protected]| Mobile: (647) 261-4594

or

Trevor McPherson

President & CEO, Mississauga Board of Trade

[email protected] | 905-273-6151 x 350