Saskatchewan restaurants surprised by province’s minimum wage hike

The government of Saskatchewan announced on May 3 that the province will raise its minimum wage by one dollar every October from now until 2024. While some organizations have praised the move, Restaurants Canada argues on behalf of Saskatchewan restaurants that it may do more harm than good in the short term. Saskatchewan currently has […]

B.C. hikes minimum wage, ties it to inflation

British Columbia has become the first province in Canada to tie its minimum wage to the rate of inflation. B.C. is pushing its minimum wage, already the highest among Canada’s 10 provinces, up from $15.20 to $15.65 an hour starting June 1. The increase is the first to be tied to B.C.’s annual inflation rate, […]

Ontario establishes basic gig workers’ rights including $15 minimum wage

Ontario has announced “historic” new legislation that would see it become the first province to establish foundational employment standards for app-based gig workers, including extending to them the province’s general minimum wage of $15. The Working for Workers Act 2022 intends to boost protections for digital platform workers who offer rides or deliver food and other […]

Minimum wage hike presents opportunity for restaurants

By David Hopkins Ontario’s minimum wage is going up again on January 1, 2022. And this time, unlike in the past, the minimum wage for servers will also rise significantly. It is set to increase almost 20 per cent, from $12.55 to $15 per hour. This comes at a time when most restaurants are trying […]

Ontario’s minimum wage overhaul sparks industry warnings

Ontario’s announcement that it will be raising the minimum wage to $15 per hour from January 1, 2022, and eliminating the liquor servers’ wage has sparked disbelief, frustration, and warning from the foodservice and hospitality industries. As part of its 2021 Fall Economic Statement, the provincial government announced on November 2 that it will introduce […]

Restaurant lobby calls for rollback of labour reforms introduced by Better Jobs Act

Press Release Food and Beverage Ontario (FBO) joins the Ontario Chamber of Commerce call for the immediate repeal of labour reforms introduced by the Fair Workplaces, Better Jobs Act 2017. FBO members have cited concerns similar to other Ontario businesses that the reforms made by the previous government were done too quickly and without adequate consultation on how it aligns with Ontario’s aspirations […]

Crunching Numbers: Minimum wage by province

From the spring 2018 issue of Canadian Restaurant & Foodservice News By Jeff Dover Restaurateurs are dealing with increases in many of their expenses, like food and rent, but with significant minimum wage increases in several provinces, labour cost has caused considerable concern given the tight margins in Canada’s restaurant industry. The table below shows current […]

Ontario’s annual minimum wage increase came into effect on October 1

Press release Ontario is increasing the general minimum wage for the fourth consecutive year, which will bring the wage up to $11.60 on October 1, 2017. For liquor servers, the minimum wage increased from $9.90 per hour to $10.10 per hour. As a part of Ontario’s plan for Fair Workplaces and Better Jobs, the general […]

Meat prices to increase after minimum wage announcement, along with restaurant bills

By David Hopkins With the announcement of minimum wage increasing to $15 by 2019, restaurant owners in Ontario, Alberta and potentially British Columbia will not only see higher rent and utility costs, but also increases in meat prices. The surge in meat prices will add yet another level to profit challenge, making it harder for […]