NDP MPP and Employment Standards Critic Cheri DiNovo is challenging the Canadian Federation of Independent Business’ claim that raising the minimum wage will hurt small businesses in Ontario.

“All hard working Ontarians deserve a minimum living wage that lifts them out poverty, not one that keeps them there. The argument that raising the minimum wage will hurt small business is patently false,” said DiNovo. “Research on the minimum wage demonstrates that people with moderate incomes will spend their wages in their communities and that’s good for the local economy.”

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.

NDP MPP Cheri DiNovo today introduced a bill that would bring minimum wage earners to the poverty line.

The bill, entitled Raising the Minimum Wage, 2008, would immediately increase the minimum wage to $10.25 per hour with 25 cent increases over the next three years to reach $11 in 2011. The minimum wage would then be indexed to the Consumer Price Index every year thereafter.

NDP Leader Howard Hampton says hard working Ontarians are told to wait for everything from a livable minimum wage to affordable housing, while MPPs and senior civil servants on Dalton McGuinty’s “Sunshine” list are riding the Premier’s gravy train.

NDP Leader Howard Hampton says today's hard-working families can't wait three long years for a fair $10 minimum wage and they can't trust Dalton McGuinty to deliver on this pre-election promise.

"Working families that desperately need a living wage aren't going to be fooled by a Dalton McGuinty campaign promise. Dalton McGuinty can raise his own pay by $40,000 overnight, but he’s making today’s families wait until he gets re-elected. Ontario needs a fair $10 minimum wage today or people working for minimum wage will continue to live below the poverty line,” Hampton said.