Ontario labour reforms could lead to big job losses
TORONTO — The Ontario government’s plan for major labour reforms would have significant side effects that would put 185,000 jobs at risk, a coalition of business groups said Monday in releasing part of its analysis on the proposed legislation.
The economic analysis commissioned by the Keep Ontario Working Coalition found that Ontario businesses stand to take a $23-billion hit within two years of the implementation of Bill 148, largely due to a minimum-wage increase.
The coalition, which includes groups such as the Ontario Chamber of Commerce and the Retail Council of Canada, said the changes proposed in the bill would force employers to find creative ways to cut costs, such as hiring less and increasing automation.
“The changes presented in Bill 148 will have dramatic, unintended consequences that include putting close to 200,000 jobs at risk and seeing everyday consumer goods and services increase by thousands of dollars for each and every family in Ontario,” said Karl Baldauf, a spokesperson for the coalition.
He said the reforms are “too much, too soon,” echoing concerns expressed by business groups since the minimum wage increase was announced.
Key figures of the analysis were made public Monday. More findings are expected to be released in the weeks and months to come, the group said.
The proposed legislation would, among other things, raise the minimum wage to $15 an hour, require equal pay for parttime workers, and expand personal emergency leave. The bill would boost the minimum wage, which is currently set to rise with inflation from $11.40 an hour to $11.60 in October, up to $14 on Jan. 1, 2018, and $15 the following year.
Ontario’s Ministry of Labour said it was reviewing the findings, but noted the study is one
among many.
“Many businesses across the province have come out in support of our plan because it helps them attract employees, reduces their labour turnover and encourages employees to become more invested in the business,” Labour Minister Kevin Flynn said in a statement.
The government is committed to working with the business community and recognizes it has concerns, the minister said. “That being said, we will not back down from our plan to bring fairness to Ontarians,” he said.
Premier Kathleen Wynne has said she is working on ideas to support Ontario businesses through major labour reforms, but has yet to say exactly what form this relief would take. Economic Development Minister Brad Duguid has also suggested the province was looking at reducing other costs for businesses to help them cope with the labour changes.
The Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives, a national think tank, said the numbers released Monday represent a worst-case scenario that research suggests is unlikely to pan out.
David Macdonald, the centre’s senior economist, said similar predictions have been made in other jurisdictions ahead of minimum-wage hikes but there has in fact been “little impact on employment.”
He also said the analysis doesn’t reflect that employees earning more will also spend more, or that businesses will see gains in productivity and save on training costs by better retaining their staff. “Those pieces balance themselves out,” he said.