Currently, the minimum wage in Ontario for adults is $11/hour as of June 1st 2014. The student (under 18) minimum wage is $10.30/hour. These are not high enough wages for people to live a comfortable lifestyle or afford basic needs, and because of this there were 872,379 Canadians using food banks every month in 2012 (Canada Without Poverty, 2014). Another reason why the minimum wage should increase is because 1 in 3 children had at least one parent who worked full time throughout the year, and still lived in poverty (Statistics Canada, 2008).

In 2007, about 1 in 10 (637,000) children under 18 lived in poverty. This is the equivalent of a city with the population of Mississauga (National Council on Welfare, 2007). In order to make faster progress in reducing the number of citizens suffering from poverty, the minimum wage must be raised.

Earning $11/hour will provide an individual with a yearly income of $22,880 (based on a 40 hour work week) before taxes. Earning $15/hour will provide an individual with a yearly income of $31,200 (based on a 40 hour work week) before taxes. This increase would put individuals far over the poverty line which is calculated at $19,930 (after tax), allowing for a far more comfortable lifestyle, and overall reducing the number of families living in poverty.

In order for our economy to be more successful, especially after coming out of a recession, it is necessary that the government raise minimum wage for workers in our province so that they may live more comfortable lives, because paying workers more money, will lead to these workers spending more money on local businesses. Therefore boosting the economy of the province.