For the second time in a year, the Ontario government has announced an increase to the minimum wage. Phrased as an eight per cent bump to “help workers keep up with rising costs and inflation”, and as another positive pre-election announcement from the government, the exact amount of the increase is 50 cents, which means that starting on October 1, the minimum wage for Ontarians will now be $15.50 per hour. Continue reading “Ontario Government Announces Second Min. Wage Hike in 6 Months”
The auto parts manufacturer Linamar is Guelph’s biggest private employer, and according to legend, it all started in the basement of Frank Hasenfratz with a one-man machine shop in 1964. On Saturday night, it was announced that Hasenfratz, still the executive chairman of the company he started almost 60 years ago, had passed away. Continue reading “Linamar Founder Frank Hasenfratz Passes Away”
As the re-opening of the local and provincial economy seems stymied by the continually growing spread of COVID-19, the City of Guelph is announcing new ways of doing business thanks to the Our Food Future program sponsored by the City of Guelph and Wellington County. Meanwhile, Guelph’s political leaders are looking for more help from the Province. Continue reading “City Announces New Economic Recovery Efforts, Guthrie Looks For Aid”
What a difference a pandemic makes, huh? For years now, there’s been a grand debate about whether service industry workers deserve a living wage, whether or not they should be able to access employer benefits, and if we need to change our assumptions about the quality of work provided by mostly minimum wage employees at our retailers, grocery stores, and restaurants. Now, these are the people who are keeping our economy a float. Continue reading “GUELPH POLITICAST #215 – The Future, and Present, for Workers”
It’s been noted frequently that the COVID-19 pandemic is touching just about every aspect of our society, but aside from healthcare, perhaps no two areas of everyday life have been more affected than how we shop, and how we work. How fortunate then that the University of Guelph has two experts to help us out with understanding that! Continue reading “GUELPH POLITICAST #214 – Food Security and Sick Pay”
Shakiba Shayani became the new President and CEO of the Guelph Chamber of Commerce on September 9, 2019, which was two days before the Federal election, during which the Chamber exerts tremendous influence as the organizers of the main local debate, and it was two months before the start of the annual municipal budget process, during which the Chamber President always presents. Talking about being thrown into the deep end. Continue reading “GUELPH POLITICAST #207 – What Can the Chamber Do For This Podcast?”
A stray comment from Guelph’s Member of Provincial Parliament may be courting some controversy after the Green Federal nomination meeting last weekend. In a speech to local Green Party members, Mike Schreiner did mention the Yellow Yest movement by name, but he did not endorse it, or say he agreed with their politics. Continue reading “No, Mike Schreiner Did Not Endorse the Yellow Vests”
Guelph Politico 