By Jason Maclennan, North Bay.
Dear Vic Fedeli:
As you “review” the minimum wage increase that is scheduled for Jan. 1, 2019, I want to challenge you and the premier, before that date, to live on $14 per hour for a three-month period. As we have personally discussed over the last several years, lived experience is one the best contributions when making a decision that affects any person within the communities you serve. This means, no other income, you must live like someone on minimum wage. I won’t even touch on your current wages and how quickly you approved your last raise.
Since the last increase on Jan. 1, 2018, the sky did not fall as many claimed it would. Companies like Tim Hortons, which was very much against the increase, now see record profits. Many small businesses that embraced the minimum wage increase are doing quite well.
You and the premier need to concentrate on things like well-paying jobs. So, many minimum wage earners who are qualified can get work in the field of study, because many people seem to be under the impression that minimum wage earners are low-educated individuals, which is just not the case.
Recent results only proved that the North Bay Chamber of Commerce and other chambers were completely wrong when it comes to the minimum wage increase. Listen to the majority of the “little guys,” of which over 60% agree with the minimum wage increases.
Vic, do you accept this challenge before making the decision on minimum wage? Time to do real research and live the experience, Vic. Time to stop listening to special interest groups like the chamber. If you are really for the “little guy” like you and the premier claimed during the election, you should have no problem living on minimum wage for three months, because that is what the “little guy” does every day.
Sincerely,
Jason Maclennan
