The federal minimum wage is rising to $17.30 per hour, effective April 1. The increase from $16.65 reflects the increase in the annual average consumer price index for 2023. Roughly 30,000 employees in the federally regulated private sector are expected to benefit from the increase, according to a press release, which also noted employers are […]
Thousands of ride-hailing and delivery workers in the U.S. and the U.K. went on strike on Valentine’s Day, calling for higher pay and other changes to their working conditions. In the U.S., Uber Technologies Inc. and Lyft Inc. drivers planned day-long strikes and held mid-day demonstrations at airports in several cities, including Chicago, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, […]
A bill that would amend U.S. labour law to establish a new classification for gig workers could also deny them the right to a minimum wage and other employment protections. The Worker Flexibility and Choice Act would change the Fair Labor Standards Act so ’employee’ doesn’t include anyone who’s entered into a worker-flexibility agreement, such […]
Raising the minimum wage to $14 per hour in 2018 reduced the racialized wage gap, particularly for women, according to a new study by the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives. Amid rising employment, the study showed the estimated increases — on an hourly basis — for Black women (4.9 per cent) and other racialized women (4.7 per […]
The federal government’s 2022 budget, which set out $56 billion in new spending on Thursday, has a few offerings that could impact employers and employees. Dental-care program, pharmacare The budget confirmed the government’s commitment to rolling out a national dental-care program, which was announced in March, by specifying a $5.3-billion investment in its implementation. It also […]
A Toronto-based non-profit organization is compensating prospective employees by paying them for their time during interviews. FoodShare Toronto’s new policy, which took effect March 1, pays interviewees a fixed rate of $75, regardless of the position. In addition, if an interview requires the candidate to complete an assignment or prepare a presentation, they’re also compensated […]
The Ontario government is raising the minimum wage to $15 per hour. “Ontario’s workers deserve a raise and today we’re delivering one,” said Premier Doug Ford in a statement. “There’s no better way to support hard-working Ontarians right now than raising the minimum wage.” Read: CFIB, Unifor clashing over proposed $15 federal minimum wage As of […]
Starbucks Canada is raising wages and benefits amid “critical staffing shortages” and a renewed commitment to the well-being of its workers. Beginning in January 2022, the company says its starting wages will be increased to a dollar above provincial minimums, while workers who’ve been with the company a year will receive a six to 10 per […]
Amid the ongoing federal election campaign, the Liberal Party is promising to table legislation that would allow employers to request proof of a coronavirus vaccination without fear of a legal challenge. While few details were provided, the legislation would pertain to vaccination requirements for employees and customers, according to a press release. Read: Where do […]
The head of the country’s largest private sector union says Parliament should raise the federal minimum wage to $15 per hour and possibly put future increases into the hands of an independent commission. Unifor president Jerry Dias says an independent commission could be comprised of key stakeholders to research the effects of minimum wage policy […]