Either one is bad for business. We can absorb the increases for only so long before we are forced to pass on costs or make adjustments. NDP officials as a whole claims otherwise. Women s Equality Minister, Joan Smallwood, also backed the upcoming wage increase, saying economic security is one of women s major concerns. Fully 74 per cent of minimum wage earners over the age of 25 are women.
Decent wages mean they can support themselves and their families.
Not so fast, stated MacDonald. If politicians really wanted to help low-income earners they would raise the personal exemption amounts and give tax breaks to those earning lower wages. Dairy Queen manager Wayne Cook also shakes his head. Most of his employees are students and his staffing needs also fluctuate with the seasons but when the wage increase takes effect Cook may have to cut back on employees and their hours. Salaries have to be a certain percentage of an employer s overall costs if a businessman is to make any money, Cook explained.