‘They want to make business the bogeyman’

Wynne Liberals accused of using labour law to pit workers against employers ahead of election

TORONTO — Ontario is vowing to crack down on companies that break the labour laws as they try to offset the added costs of a higher minimum wage, but some are accusing the Liberal government of scapegoating business for electoral gain.

The province’s minimum wage increased on Jan. 1 from $11.60 an hour to $14 — and is set to rise again to $15 in 2019 — as part of sweeping labour reforms that also include increased personal emergency days and paid vacation time.

Business groups had warned that the increase was too quick to absorb the additional costs, especially for small businesses.

Labour Minister Kevin Flynn said Monday that most companies are complying with the legislation, but some business owners have been taking the increased pressure out on their workers. “It’s the act of bullies that has no place in this province,” he said. “I really hope that the businesses that have acted in this manner decide on sober second thought to reverse the decisions they’ve made.”

A pair of eastern Ontario Tim Hortons franchisees — who happen to be the children of the company’s billionaire co-founders — have made headlines for cutting paid breaks for their employees and forcing them to cover a bigger share of their benefits. Flynn said that goes against the spirit, though not the letter, of the law.

Premier Kathleen Wynne phoned reporters last week on a day marked private on her itinerary to publicly accuse the franchisees of “bullying” their employees.

That remark and the government’s approach to the labour changes is all “carefully thought out” and politically motivated, said a representative for the Canadian Federation of Independent Business.

“The government, in anticipation of the upcoming ( June) election, is trying to set up a battle pitting employer against employee,” said Julie Kwiecinski, the director of provincial affairs for Ontario.

The Opposition said the Liberals want people to be talking about the minimum wage because it means they’re not focusing on other parts of the government’s record.

“They want to make business the bogeyman,” said Progressive Conservative John Yakabuski. “This is a political vehicle for June of 2018 and (the Liberals have decided), ‘We’re going to make somebody the enemy and we’re going to portray ourselves as the dragon slayer.’”

Flynn wouldn’t confirm any specific ministry investigations, but said inspectors are being sent anywhere contraventions are reported. He mentioned a story about an east Toronto Tim Hortons franchise allegedly banning workers from keeping tips.