Wage increase press release apparently written by Mr. Burns

The province’s minimum wage goes up 75 cents today, to $10.25 an hour, meaning low-end mall and restaurant jobs just got a little more bearable. But the Canadian Restaurant and Foodservices Association doesn’t see it that way. The group says the hike will force restaurants to cut hours and jobs: “At a time when we are trying to grow employment and rebuild our economy, dramatic minimum wage increases are entirely counterproductive,” says Stephanie Jones, vice-president of the Ontario branch of the CRFA in a press release sent out this morning.

Jones adds that she has received an “overwhelming number” of calls from cash-strapped restaurateurs complaining about the hike and that the wage increase will cost the industry $255 million each year. Interestingly, the release adds that three quarters of minimum-wage earners are under 25, mostly students, work part-time and live with their parents. Clearly these kids don’t need more money; they’re already living the glamorous life.

• Minimum wage increase to cost Ontario restaurateurs $255 million [CRFA]
• Ont. minimum wage goes up [Toronto Sun]