Ontario Minimum Wage Increases To $7.75

February 1 2006 - The Ontario government has raised the minimum wage for the third time since taking office.

Labour Minister Steve Peters said:

"We are providing Ontario's lowest-paid and most vulnerable workers with the third increase in the minimum wage in three years. It is to Ontario's economic advantage to see that our workers are paid a fair wage."

The general minimum wage rises to $7.75 per hour from February 1, 2006, with a further increase to $8 per hour on February 1, 2007. It was previously $7.45 per hour.

Other minimum wage rates have also been increased. The minimum wage for:

• Students under 18 years old and employed for not more than 28 hours a week will rise from $6.95 to $7.25 per hour
• Liquor servers will increase from $6.50 to $6.75 per hour
• Hunting and fishing guides currently paid a minimum of $37.25 for less than five consecutive hours in a day and $74.50 for five or more hours in a day (whether or not the hours are consecutive) will also increase to $38.75 and $77.50 respectively.

"The increase is part of the McGuinty government's investment in people," said Peters. "By phasing in the minimum wage increases, we can help these workers benefit from Ontario's economic growth while keeping Ontario businesses competitive."

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