Governments’ failure to care about low-wage workers has meant real-dollar pay cuts for those who can afford them least
Ten years ago, advocates in the United States started a campaign for a $15-an-hour minimum wage. In 2014, low-wage workers in B.C. and Ontario followed suit. Before long, the call for $15 had spread right across the country. Eight years later, how do the provinces measure up? Six provincial governments increased the minimum wage this…
Many powerful people have become rich by exploiting workers
Many people seem to have forgotten a basic principle of life. Broadcaster and writer Earl Nightingale called it “the law of mutual exchange.” He explained further: “We’ve got to be of service before we can expect money.” Many powerful people over the last several centuries have acted as though this principle didn’t apply to them.…
Ever-higher minimum wages are pricing more people out of the job market and reducing economic opportunity
Minimum wages are on the rise again in Ontario. As of Oct. 1, the province’s incessant central planners have not one but six higher price controls for labour. These hurt the most vulnerable Canadians and do the bidding of unions. However, vociferous proponents delude themselves into thinking they have the moral high ground and are…
As workers get older and become eligible for more pay, they often lose their jobs. That means the overall wage floor is too high
During the recent Alberta election campaign, with the province’s unemployment rate remaining stubbornly high, the now-governing United Conservative Party proposed reducing the minimum wage from $15 to $13 for workers below the age of 18. And now the government has introduced legislation to make that change, along with changes to overtime pay requirements. The benefits…
There are still plenty of jobs at the low end of the pay scale. But wouldn't it be a better idea to simply upgrade your skills?
One day you head out to your favourite store and it isn’t there anymore. It could be a local specialty shop, part of a major chain or even a department store like Sears, whose stores and catalogues have been around seemingly forever. Retail outlets are disappearing all over, along with the jobs they provide. In…
Government intervention becomes necessary when goods and services are made too expensive as a result of wage hikes
Minimum wage hikes by provincial governments across Canada last year were sold as policy intended to make life easier for workers. However, advocates overlooked some of the negative of the policy. Now they’re prescribing yet more government interventions to remedy the problems caused by the wage hike. When the Ontario government hiked the minimum wage…
Economists believe that raising the price of low-skilled labour just eliminates many of those jobs
Raising the minimum wage is a popular policy among voters. But economists dispute the value of such a raise. Why the discrepancy? Recent polls from Ontario found strong support for the province’s minimum wage hike. And in the United States, a Pew Research poll in 2016 showed that by a margin of 52 per cent…
Instead of takeout, consumers can choose a meal kit that allows them to whip up an appealing dish in minutes
Meal kits are sweeping across North America. It’s the perfect trend for consumers who want to be empowered by cooking but still need convenience. For example, Walmart has just partnered with Gobble to deliver meal kits. In the battle over the future of food consumption in the U.S., Walmart wants a fighting chance against the industry’s…
Social assistance programs in Canada are falling behind. It's time we expanded basic coverage to include drug and dental care
By Arjumand Siddiqi and Odmaa Sod-Erdene University of Toronto Public health researchers have long known that poverty and poor health are linked, but new evidence suggests that social assistance – the government system designed to provide those in poverty with income support – is not succeeding at protecting health. Using data from national government surveys, we…
An overwhelming number of studies show that raising the minimum wage actually eliminates employment opportunities
What does the evidence about the impact of raising minimum wages actually say? It's one of the most contentious public policy debates of recent years. Opponents of raising the minimum wage say it will result in job losses – making it more expensive to hire workers means businesses will hire fewer workers. Supporters point to…
Ten years ago, advocates in the United States started a campaign for a $15-an-hour minimum wage. In 2014, low-wage workers in B.C. and Ontario followed suit. Before long, the call for $15 had spread right across the country. Eight years later, how do the provinces measure up? Six provincial governments increased the minimum wage this…
