After businessman floats $20 minimum wage, Quebec minister says no, but a hike is coming
Raising the minimum wage to $20 an hour would create a "significant economic shock," warned Quebec's labour and employment minister, Jean Boulet, on Wednesday.
With that, the Legault government closed the door to a proposal from the chairman of Cogeco's board of directors, Louis Audet.
He advocated the measure of "social justice" as a way of reducing income disparities.
In a press scrum Wednesday in the National Assembly, Boulet dismissed an increase that would send the current hourly rate on a jump of almost 50 per cent, from $13.50 to $20.
Legault has set himself the goal of reducing the wage gap with Ontario's average wage, but it will not be by increasing the minimum wage, said Boulet.
"We must go there gradually," said Mr. Boulet.
If the hourly rate suddenly goes to $20, "there would likely be layoffs," he said, because companies wouldn't be able to pay.
He also said there could be an increase in the dropout rate among students who would be attracted to leaving school to go straight into the job market.
"You have to be careful," he said
Boulet nevertheless hinted at a "significant increase" in the minimum wage next May due to the current upward pressure on wages.
He said he wanted to reminded reporters that the current calculation mechanism to set the minimum wage provides that it must equal 50 per cent of the average hourly rate in Quebec, which he said is currently around $26 to $27.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French on Oct. 27, 2021.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Grandparents killed in wrong-way crash on Hwy. 401 identified
A 60-year-old man and a 55-year-old woman killed in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 earlier this week have been identified by the Consulate General of India in Toronto.
Police arrest 3 Indian nationals in killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Three people have been arrested and charged in the killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar – as authorities continue investigating potential connections to the Indian government.
Suter scores late goal, clinches series for Canucks
Pius Suter scored with 1:39 left and the Vancouver Canucks advanced to the second round of the NHL playoffs with a 1-0 victory over the Nashville Predators on Friday night in Game 6.
TD worst-case scenario more likely after drug money laundering allegations: analyst
TD Bank Group could be hit with more severe penalties than previously expected, says a banking analyst after a report that the investigation it faces in the U.S. is tied to laundering illicit fentanyl profits.
Quebec man who threatened Trudeau, Legault online sentenced to 20 months in jail
A Quebec man who pleaded guilty to threatening Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Premier François Legault has been sentenced to 20 months in jail.
Human remains found in rural Sask. possibly a decade old, RCMP say
RCMP say human remains found in a rural area in central Saskatchewan may have been there for a decade or more.
Britney Spears 'home and safe' after paramedics responded to an incident at the Chateau Marmont, source tells CNN
A source close to singer Britney Spears tells CNN that the pop star is 'home and safe' after she had a 'major fight' with her boyfriend on Wednesday night at the Chateau Marmont in West Hollywood.
Canadian doctor concerned new weight-loss drug Wegovy may be used inappropriately
As Wegovy becomes available to Canadians starting Monday, a medical expert is cautioning patients wanting to use the drug to lose weight that no medication is a ''magic bullet,' and the new medication is meant particularly for people who meet certain criteria related to obesity and weight.
Drew Carey is never quitting 'The Price Is Right'
Drew Carey took over as host of 'The Price Is Right' and hopes he’s there for life. 'I'm not going anywhere,' he told 'Entertainment Tonight' of the job he took over from longtime host Bob Barker in 2007.