Community encouraged to speak about Bill 148
St. Catharines MPP Jim Bradley is encouraging members of the community to provide input on proposed Bill 148, designed to increase fairness and help workers and families share in Ontario’s economic growth. The bill, also known as the Fair Workplaces, Better Jobs Act and includes raising the minimum wage in Ontario to $15 an hour, ensuring part-time workers receive equal hourly rates as full-time employees for the same jobs, and expanding personal emergency leave so all employees receive at least 10 days per year, including two days of paid leave. According to Brody Langmuir, constituency assistant to Bradley, the hearings will allow a committee to review and report back to the legislature regarding the legislation by listening to the comments of Niagara stakeholders. Anybody interested in being considered to make an oral presentation in their riding should provide their contact information, both mailing address and e-mail, to the clerk of the committee by 10 a.m. on Monday, July 10. The event will take place at the Sheraton on the Falls Hotel from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, July 19. Anybody who doesn’t want to make an oral presentation but would like to comment on the bill should send a written submission to the clerk of the committee by 5:30 p.m. Friday, July 21. Written submissions can be emailed to Eric Rennie at erennie@ola.org, or mailed to 2 Secord Dr., Unit 2, St. Catharines, L2N 1K8.