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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuron Expositor, 2004-02-04, Page 5News Local workers celebrate increase of minimum wage to $7a5 an hour By Sara CampbdN Expositor Staff Ontario's first minimum wage rate increase in nine years was a welcome announcement by many Seaforth employees, but busijness owners are questioning how they will make up for the rate increase. "I know everyone here is pleased. It's something we've been looking forward to for awhile," said Becki Doig, assistant manager of the Seaforth Shell gas bar. "Hopefully it means we will all see an increase. It's all we have to depend on," she said, adding that the five other employees should see a wage increase. "I think an increase is great. I know it's something students have been looking forward to for awhile. But, a lot of the students here have Wished it had come sooner because most are graduating this year," said Dianne Huether, an employee at Rona Cashway Building Centre in Seaforth. "I can't see it changing business itself. The employees work hard so they deserve this," added Don Hoffman, also a Rona Cashway employee. The provincial government recently announced that as of Feb. 1, Ontario's general minimum wage was raised $7.15 per hour from $6.85 per hour. "We are all happy to see an increase here since everyone is at minimum wage. But, being in a small business, I'm sure this will have some negative effects," said Joanne Lemke, an employee at New Orleans Pizza. "The owners have to increase each employee's wages by 30 cents but how will they make it up? Are my hours going to be cut or will the prices be raised?" asked Lemke, adding that an increase effects everyone. Sara Campbell photo Becki Doig, of the Seaforth Shell gas bar, gives the thumbs -up sign as she pumps gas to show her support for her recent raise caused by the increase to the provincial minimum wage. "I think the increase is great for employees. We pay above minimum wage already but we will possibly up it. It's just how can we increase it?" said Marc Robinet, owner of Archie's Service Centre. "As a small business it's hard to tell what to do. We would need to generate more income somehow if we raise the wages." Yet, Dave Deighton, owner of Stedman's Department Store, said businesses will have to follow the trend and increase wages. "We Will have to accept it. It may hurt smaller businesses but our employees are certainly worth the pay," said Deighton, adding that Stedman's employees three other people. Opinion However. Nancy Anstett, president of the Seaforth Business Improvement Association, said larger companies will be hit the hardest. "Larger companies with several employees at minimum wage will have to find other ways of making up that difference for increased wages," -she said. "It is good for the employees though. An increase hasn't happened for nine years and they need it," said Anstett. Minimum wage rates will increase annually, with the general minimum wage reaching $8 per hour on Feb. 1. 2007. There are about 191,000 people earning minimum wage in Ontario and Farmers want less adversarial approach to protecting water From Fag* 4 proceeding with its responsibilities, under the law. OCA, the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, and OMAF are working on Best Management Practices which identify preferred methods of managing livestock next to water courses. These practices recognize that a total ban on water access is not always possible and there are ways to minimize impact on the environment and fish habitat. Ontario farmers have a clear understanding and appreciation for the need to protect the environment. Most have prepared Environmental Farm Plans for their operations, and many follow Best Management Practices that set out the best possible ways of protecting the environment within a farming operation. At the same time, however, farmers are practical people who usually want to see a demonstrated benefit from any investment they make on their farms. The Department of the Environment seems too anxious to use the punishment hammer of enforcement rather than introduce an educational component to their efforts. The question has to he asked: are government departments talking to each other? As mentioned, Department of Fisheries and Oceans is working with farmers to develop practical solutions to livestock access while the Department of the Environment takes a black and white, all -or -nothing approach. This is why thc Ontario Federation of Agriculture and the Ontario Cattlemen's Association would encourage the Federal Department of the Environment to look at how some other departments at the federal level rely on educating the public to reduce potential incidents of contravening the law. OFA directors voted in favour of co-ordinating a lobby effort with the Ontario Cattlemen's Association to find a practical approach to the interpretation and enforcement of regulatory provisions of the Fisheries Act. We want farmers to he able to comply with the law, avoiding huge fines and possible time in jail because their livestock have entered a waterway that crosses their property. It is also important to the farming community that the adversarial approach being employed by Department of thc Environment officials he replaced with an educational approach. All it takes investigation Department Environment to set off an by the of the is an anonymous complaint — it could he a disgruntled neighbour seeking revenge or a casual sighting by a stranger passing hy. OFA believes Ontario farmers have demonstrated for decades their concern and desire to protect thc environment. We want to work with our government officials to preserve and protect the environment, but we also want evidence of a more reasonable approach to enforcement. another 489,000 who earn between the general minimum wage and $8 per hour. "We are extending a helping hand to one of the groups of people in Ontario that need it most," stated Labour Minister Chris Bentley in a press release. "This raise in minimum wage rates is nine years overdue and will help keep Ontario's most vulnerable employees from falling further behind the rest of Ontario employees." Increases are reflected in all minimum wage categories: • Students under 18 working for not more than 28 hours per week or during a school holiday receive $6.70 per hour, up from $6.40 per hour. • Liquor servers will receive $6.20 per hour compared to $5.95 per hour. • Hunting and fishing guides'wages were raised from $34.25 to $35.75 for working less than five consecutive hours per day and $71.50 for five or more hours per day whether or not the hours are consecutive. • Homeworkers (defined as people doing paid work in their home for an employer) continue to receive 110 per cent of the general minimum wage. "Phasing in this increase over four years will help Ontario businesses plan so that they can remain competitive," continued Bentley. "After nine long years without a raise, this will give some relief to our lowest income earners." Vanastra store has window smashed Huron OPP Close to $200 in damages was done to a general store in Vanastra when a window was smashed on Jan. 24 sometime over night. A beer bottle was thrown through the window but no attempt was made to enter the store. Anyone with related information is asked to call the Huron OPP or Crime Stoppers. Looking Glass 4 Main St., Seaforth 527-1783 +Reflexology • Ol)eep Muscle Therapy +En Candling IA +Reikl Jennifer Gift Certificates McClinehey Available THE HURON EXPOSITOR, FEBRUARY 4, 2004•-a 1 CONGRATULATIONS to the winners of Tuckersmith Day Nursury's... "BEAT THE BLAH'S RAFFLE" 1st Prize: $500.00 Kim Mostrey - Varna 2nd Prize: $300.00 Mike Boone - London 3rd Prize: $200 Angela Merner - RR1 Clinton 4th Prize: 50 lbs Assorted Naturally Raised Beef (Value $200) Donated by the VanWonderen Family; Linda Bakelaar, Auburn 5th Prize: Lawn chairs and patio umbrella (Value $45) Donated by the Thomson Family; J. Taylbr; Thorndale 6th Prize: Die Cast Race Car and 100 mark- ers (Value $40) donated by Good Choice Appliances; Cheryl Fehr, Egmondville. 7th Prize: John Deere Toys (Value $35) donated by the Claussen Family; Terry & George Youmatoff, Goderich 8th Prize: Gift Basket (Value $25) Donated by Vanastra Country Market; Tammy Haase, Mitchell A special thank you to everyone who donated items and Pete's Paper Clip for donating the tickets. Thank you to everyone who supported our fundraiser ! t Church Services BEREAN COVENANT CHURCH A CHURCH PLANT OF GRACE TRINITY COMMUNITY CHURCH 527-0029 Fellowship at 7:00 pm Pastoral Team: Pastor Bob Penhearow Pastor Ron Matthews Pastor Royal Hamel St. Thomas Anglican Church Jarvis St. Seaforth Fr. Michael Atkins Parish Office 482-7861 The Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany Worship - 9:30 am Sermon Series: Growing in the Christian Life Part 1 - Finding Security Prayer Group - Monday at 7:00 pm Bethel Bible Church An Associated Gospel Church 126 Main St. Seaforth 527-0982 Sunday School 9:45 am Sunday Worship Hour 11 am Jim Wyllie - Pastor NORTHSIDE - CAVAN UNITED CHURCHES Cavan 9:30 a m. 11:00 a.m. Northside Winthrop 54 Goderich St. W Sunday February 8, 2004 Guest Speaker - Melissa Snyders Junior Youth Group - Thurs., Feb. 5th 5:30-7:30 p.m. NS Senior Youth Group - Fn., Feb. 6th 6:00-9:00 p.m. NS You are invited to attend these area churches Catholic Church St. James RC Church 14 Victoria Street, Seaforth 527-0142 Weekend Masses: Sat 5:15 pm Sun. 11:00 am St. Columban RC Church Saturday Mass at 7:30 pm Father Lance Magdziak Egmondville United Church Sunday School 10:00 am Worship Service 11:00 am Sunday February 8 Steve Hildebrand Lay Pastoral Minister In training First Presbyterian Church Goderich St. W. Seaforth Rev. Ted Nelson Interim Minister Sunday, February 8 11:15 a.m. Lunch and Amual Meeting to 1010w Sente. Everyone's invited to See Red Central Huron Secondary School Opens its Doors To All Grade Eight Students and their Parents Wednesday, February 4th The excitement begins at 7:00 pm Information Session in Large Gym Band and Student Council presentation Many Tours and Activities Refreshments Available S Wonderful Prizes to be Won • ,t�(Li'I� . ,' It's back. It's better. It's money in the bank! Get up to $6.50/acre cash back! Once again corn growers can get cash back on their trusted brands, but now soybean growers can experience the Power Acre/D too. As an added bonus, growers can also qualify for an enhanced rebate when they include their Roundup TRANSORB'" burndownl The PowsrAcro has even bean expendsd to Whirs HEAbLINE , the revolutionary fungicide thin brevetting new ground /n assess control So put the Power Acre in your field again this year and put some money in the bank. 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