NDP MPP Cheri DiNovo stated Dalton McGuinty’s minimum wage violates Ontarians right to an adequate standard of living.

“The United Nations has stated that current minimum wage and social assistance rates in Ontario contravenes people’s right to an adequate standard of livings. It’s time Dalton McGuinty recognized that as well and raise the Ontario’s minimum wage to a living wage of $10.25 now,” said DiNovo.

DiNovo referenced the new Campaign 2000 report released today which found that median wages in the food and accommodation sectors were only about $9.50 an hour and well below the Statistics Canada low-income cut-off for a single person living in a large city.

“The reality is Ontarians can’t survive on $8.75 and it needs to be raised to $10.25 an hour now. Hard working women and men deserve a minimum living wage that lifts them out poverty, not one that keeps them there.”