The New Democrats have promised to raise the minimum wages in Ontario to $12, over a period of two years and will also cut down the Province's small business taxes, if they are able to form the next government.
The announcement was made by NDP leader Andrea Horwath while campaigning.
"We want to see a minimum wage increase but in a way that's balanced and allows small businesses to absorb the impact," Horwath said outside a coffee shop while interacting with supporters.
Her plan would involve a gradual increase - 50 cents, over the next two years, while tying the raise to inflation to ensure a fair minimum wage in the future.
She also indicated that the New Democrats would reduce the small business tax rate to three per cent to help them absorb the impact of higher wages.
"We see electricity rates climbing through the roof, businesses are having a difficult time paying their hydro," Horwath said.
In a budget released last week, the Liberal government proposed raising the minimum wage to $11 an hour on June 1, with legislation planned to index it to inflation.
However, Horwath and the Progressive Conservatives refused to support the budget, setting the stage for Ontario's June 12 vote.
