The $15/hr minimum wage for federal regulated workers promised by the NDP will benefit over 100,000 workers. This is a good thing.
The NDP’s policy was a response to the pressure created by the Fight for 15 movement across the country and even the continent. The NDP’s promise, however, does not go far enough as it will not be fully in effect until 2019 and does not tie the increase to the rate of inflation going forward.
But the promise does create the conditions for the movement to extend its reach and put mobilizing pressure on provincial governments to follow suit.
Operation Maple investigates the real impacts raising the federal minimum wage would have for workers in federally regulated sectors. If you were hired at Pearson Airport, would you expect to make more than minimum wage? Think again.