Critical action needed by Premier Doug Ford on Ontario’s minimum wage: “If a $20 minimum wage had been implemented in 2021 the October 1 minimum wage would be more than $24 an hour.”

Toronto, ON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--On October 1, Ontario’s adult minimum wage will be adjusted to $17.95. But this 35-cent hourly change only represents last year’s cost of living increase, and is a far cry from what is actually needed to help workers keep up with rising prices.

“The average 2-bedroom apartment in this province still costs more than $2,100 a month,” said Deena Ladd, Executive Director of the Workers’ Action Centre. “And even with the additional 35 cents, a person working full time at that rate would not have enough money to cover it.”

Statistics Canada recently released data that show, in 2024 when the survey was conducted, almost 1 in every 4 households “lived in housing unaffordable to them” and more than 1 in every 3 renters spent over 30% of their income on rent.

“Even if inflation has stabilized, that doesn’t mean prices are coming down. It means already high prices continue to rise, but not as fast,” said Ladd. “An apartment that was $2,100 last year will still cost that much–and more–next year. Food prices, as we are witnessing on a daily basis, continue to rise. Meanwhile, the Ford Government is not paying attention to how hard it is for workers to make ends meet.”

“We are facing an unprecedented cost of living crisis–a crisis that is set to get even worse as the effects of tariffs ripple through the economy,” said Ladd. “There’s also the impact of war causing higher gasoline prices and shipping costs, so workers’ food and living expenses could get a lot worse in the months ahead.”

“The 35-cent bump in the minimum wage is a legislated minimum, mandated by 2014 legislation,” said Ladd. “If the $20 minimum wage had been implemented in 2021, when we first called for it, the minimum wage taking effect on October 1 would be $24.10.”

“At this moment, we need government action at all levels to support workers and their families, including: a higher minimum wage, limits on the cost of food, meaningful rent control for every renter, and investments in non-market, social housing,” said Ladd.

“Both the provincial and federal governments must step up to stop the epidemic of wage theft underway in Ontario and across Canada. The lack of enforcement of basic employment standards means a growing number of corporations can ignore existing wage laws and profit at workers’ expense.”