Minimum Wage Hike
#1
Posted 04 October 2007 - 11:57 PM
VICTORIA COUNCIL PASSED A RESOLUTION CALLING ON THE PROVINCE TO REVIEW AND PROBABLY INCREASE THE MINIMUM WAGE.
THE MOTION IS ACTUALLY A COMPROMISE.
THE LOCAL LABOUR COUNCIL WAS LOOKING FOR SUPPORT FOR ITS CAMPAIGN FOR A TWO DOLLAR INCREASE.
MOST COUNCIL MEMBERS WERE NOT PREPARED TO BE THE SPECIFIC.
GEOFF YOUNG VOTED AGAINST EVEN ALLOWING THE TOPIC FOR DISCUSSION SINCE IT’S OUTSIDE OF CITY JURISDICTION, BUT ONCE DEBATE WAS UNDERWAY HE LED THE NO SIDE.
“IF WE COULD SOLVE THE PROBLEM OF POVERTY BY MAKING LAWS, THEN WE WOULD HAVE SOLVED IT A LONG TIME AGO.”
LABOUR COUNCILS HAVE BEEN LOBBYING FOR CIVIC SUPPORT THROUGHOUT THE PROVINCE, WITH VARYING DEGREES OF SUCCESS.
SO FAR, THE PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT HAS SIGNALED NO INTENT TO ADJUST THE MINIMUM WAGE.
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This was not a real serious decision--more of a formality since it's the Province's decision. Geoff Young brought this up and spent a great deal of time explaining why he thought it was a dumb idea for Council to spend so much time debating a subject that they have no power over and why it's not good for government to meddle around with supply and demand. Dean Fortin started drumming his fingers and Young blew up at him yelling something like, "I see Councillor Fortin drumming his fingers--you're the one who wanted the debate!" and that Fortin was bringing this forward so he could score political points. Hughes and Madoff were also in support.
#2
Posted 05 October 2007 - 09:14 AM
Know it all.
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#3
Posted 05 October 2007 - 12:09 PM
#4
Posted 05 October 2007 - 01:54 PM
#5
Posted 05 October 2007 - 02:13 PM
#6
Posted 05 October 2007 - 02:21 PM
Wrt other comments on pay, even if plenty of employers are paying $10 to $12 an hour, just as many are paying below $10/hour.
Know it all.
Citified.ca is Victoria's most comprehensive research resource for new-build homes and commercial spaces.
#7
Posted 05 October 2007 - 04:20 PM
#8
Posted 05 October 2007 - 04:38 PM
^ they may pay below but no one is working there.
Agreed. I find it hard to believe there are many folks working for $8/hr in non-tippable jobs.
#9
Posted 06 October 2007 - 09:15 AM
#10
Posted 06 October 2007 - 10:18 AM
Every fast food outlet and lots of downtown food places pay between $8 and $10 an hour.
Know it all.
Citified.ca is Victoria's most comprehensive research resource for new-build homes and commercial spaces.
#11
Posted 06 October 2007 - 10:18 AM
The economy will not always be this strong. It's wise to raise the minimum wage now, rather than when the retailers are really in the dumps when the market take a dive.
If the market dictates that a certain job is only worth $8.95 per hour, why should the government regulate that it is worth $10?
#12
Posted 06 October 2007 - 12:59 PM
Besides, cost of living in BC dictates that $10 an hour is barely enough to get by. The government would be responding to the market if it raised minimum wage, not dictate market forces.
#13
Posted 06 October 2007 - 01:09 PM
^If the market dictates certain jobs are worth $8.95, then why is no one willing to work for less than ten at the absolute minimum?
Besides, cost of living in BC dictates that $10 an hour is barely enough to get by. The government would be responding to the market if it raised minimum wage, not dictate market forces.
The astronomically overwhelming majority of folks who work at or near the minimum wage are youngsters that work part-time for spending money, not those that are "trying to get by".
#14
Posted 06 October 2007 - 07:48 PM
But that may change if the market takes a downturn.
#15
Posted 06 October 2007 - 08:13 PM
^In the current market, yes.
But that may change if the market takes a downturn.
So the market takes a downturn and we should add to the economic woe by mandating an artificially high wage, that leads to higher consumer prices for the downtrodden? Again, voodoo economics. As my friend Sowell write: "Making anything more expensive almost invariably leads to fewer purchases. That includes labor".
Read this: http://www.heritage....onomy/wm676.cfm
...or this: http://www.capmag.co...cle.asp?ID=4472
#16
Posted 06 October 2007 - 10:01 PM
But if you're going to use a capitalist model such as from the US, then let's remember that the minimum wage south of the border is still a mere $5.15 an hour. Employers are abusing the government's lack of involvement in this debate and people are suffering. Should we really mirror our economy on that model?
Besides, who cares if it's mostly youngsters that are putting up with the current minimum wage? Of any age cohort, they are the ones we should worry about the most. If they can't afford school let alone basic living expenses, then how will they eventually afford make it themselves as professionals?
Market forces and government intervention do strike a balance afaic. It is the Canadian way.
#17
Posted 07 October 2007 - 06:45 AM
Everyone is better off when government is strictly limited to the protection of people's rights, and prohibited from tinkering with the market.
#18
Posted 07 October 2007 - 09:10 AM
^If the market dictates certain jobs are worth $8.95, then why is no one willing to work for less than ten at the absolute minimum?
Besides, cost of living in BC dictates that $10 an hour is barely enough to get by. The government would be responding to the market if it raised minimum wage, not dictate market forces.
The astronomically overwhelming majority of folks who work at or near the minimum wage are youngsters that work part-time for spending money, not those that are "trying to get by".
According to the US labour bureau, 60% of individuals working for minimum wage are over the age of 20. Granted, that statistic is for the US, but the stats can't be that much different up here, can they?
Know it all.
Citified.ca is Victoria's most comprehensive research resource for new-build homes and commercial spaces.
#19
Posted 07 October 2007 - 11:52 AM
But if you're going to use a capitalist model such as from the US, then let's remember that the minimum wage south of the border is still a mere $5.15 an hour.
The US standard of living is 20% higher than Canada. Canadians earn less on average than the poorest US state. Canadians earn less on average than the average black US person.
#20
Posted 07 October 2007 - 01:37 PM
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