THUNDER BAY -- A committee of the Ontario legislature will hold a hearing in Thunder Bay into the proposed increase in Ontario's minimum wage, and other changes to the Employment Standards Act.
The Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs will be in the city on July 10 to collect feedback on Bill 148, the Liberal government's Fair Workplaces, Better Jobs Act.
A key provision of the bill is to increase the minimum wage to $14 an hour on January 1, 2018. The next year, it would rise to $15 an hour.
Among other changes, the legislation would mandate three weeks' vacation for employees with more than five years' service.
Labour and social justice groups have applauded the plan, while some members of the business community have expressed concern about the impact on the viability of their operations.
Individuals interested in making an oral presentation to the committee should contact the committee clerk by July 4.
People wishing to submit written submissions may do so by July 21.
