Minimum wage in Quebec won’t be going up any time soon.
The Liberals confirmed Tuesday that they will not hold consultations on a proposed wage hike to $15 an hour.
The party voted against allowing Quebec’s Committee on Labour and the Economy to hold hearings with experts, arguing that Labour Minister Dominique Vien has already consider the matter and it now needs to be left alone.
The Parti Québécois said it is “devastated” by the Liberals’ refusal to study a possible wage hike, while Québec Solidaire said it is “appalled” by the ruling party’s refusal to discuss it further.
The debate on bringing up the minimum hourly rate to $15 began several months ago. Trade unions, Québec solidaire and even the businessman Alexandre Taillefer are promoting an increase.
The last week, an electronic petition of over 5,000 names was tabled in the National Assembly by Québec solidaire MNA Manon Massé
The current minimum hourly rate in Quebec is $10.75, a rate that was hiked by 20 cents in May.
With a report from La Presse Canadienne
