TORONTO, Jan. 3 /CNW/ - The Ontario government is raising the minimum
wage on February 1, 2007, for the fourth time since taking office, Labour
Minister Steve Peters announced today.
"We are providing Ontario's lowest-paid and most vulnerable workers with
the fourth increase in the minimum wage in four years," said Peters. "It is to Ontario's economic advantage to see that our workers are paid a fair wage."
The general minimum wage will be raised to $8.00 per hour on February 1,
2007. This is the final increase in a four-year initiative that began
February 1, 2004, at which time the government undertook to raise the minimum wage for the first time since 1995. It was phased in over a four-year period to allow Ontario business time to adjust and remain competitive.

Other minimum wage rates will also increase on February 1, 2007. The
minimum wage for:

- Students under 18 years old and employed for not more than 28 hours a
week during the school year or employed during a school holiday, will
rise from $7.25 to $7.50 per hour
- Liquor servers will increase from $6.75 to $6.95 per hour
- Hunting and fishing guides currently paid a minimum of $38.75 for
less than five consecutive hours in a day and $77.50 for five or more
hours in a day (whether or not the hours are consecutive) will also
increase to $40.00 and $80.00 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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www.labour.gov.on.ca