B.C. city first with a living wage; Yukon releases guide for youth; Ontario MPP proposes mandatory pension plan
B.C. city first with a living wage
New Westminster, B.C. — New Westminster is the first municipality in Canada to adopt a living wage policy. All employees, whether paid directly by the city or indirectly by contractors, will be paid at least $16.74 an hour. The minimum wage in British Columbia is $8 an hour. The policy was approved unanimously by New Westminster city council.
Yukon releases guide for youth
Whitehorse — The Yukon government has released a new guide for young workers that includes employment standards, employee rights and responsibilities and workplace safety. You Need More Than a Job to Start Work will also be used in high schools as a teaching aid, said Education Minister Patrick Rouble. The guide is available at www.community.gov.yk.ca and will be in high schools in September.
Ontario MPP proposes mandatory pension plan
Toronto — A private member’s bill proposes changes to Ontario’s pension laws to require companies with 20 or more employees to offer a savings or pension plan. All employees would be automatically enrolled with a contribution of three per cent of salary, but there’s no requirement for employer contributions and workers could opt out. The bill, proposed by Liberal Jeff Leal, passed second reading and is now in committee.
