FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Campaign 2000 Urges All-Party Support for $10 Minimum Wage Bill
TORONTO, November 2, 2006 – Ontario Campaign 2000, a provincial coalition of 50 organizations committed to ending child and family poverty, urges Ontario MPPs from all political parties to support the $10 Minimum Wage Act debated in the Legislature on November 2nd.
“One-third of all poor children in Ontario live in families where at least one parent works full time, full year. We know that low wages are part of the reason behind our high child poverty rate,” said Jacquie Maund, Coordinator of Ontario Campaign 2000.
“Campaign 2000 supports an increase in the minimum wage to $10/hour with inflation indexation. This change, in combination with an improved Canada Child Tax Benefit of $5,000, would enable a single parent working full time to escape poverty.”
Family Service Association of Toronto (FSA), a key member of the Ontario Campaign 2000 coalition, echoes the call for all-party support of this Private Member’s Bill.
‘Working full time should allow parents to keep their families out of poverty,’ said Yves Savoie, Executive Director of FSA. ‘Studies from U.S. communities show that higher pay results in increased productivity and lower staff turnover. Experience in the United Kingdom – where the minimum wage is now US$9.50 – shows that regular increases to the minimum wage have had little or no adverse effect on levels of employment.’
Media contact : Jacquie Maund, Tel 416-595-9230 x241
Coordinator, Ontario Campaign 2000
www.campaign2000.ca
About Family Service Association of Toronto
Family Service Association of Toronto (www.fsatoronto.com) is a non-profit, social service agency offering a wide range of multilingual counselling and support programs that reflect the needs of Toronto's diverse communities. For 91 years, FSA has sought to end family violence, support inclusion of marginalized citizens, help children and families through difficult life transitions, support seniors and build strong, healthy, inclusive communities. FSA also works with government and other community organizations to advocate for social change to enhance the quality of life for all members of our community. FSA is a United Way member agency.
Editors: Please note the "Service" in Family Service Association of Toronto is singular.
