Ontario is raising its minimum wage to $15 an hour by 2019.
The move will provide equal pay for part-time workers and increase the minimum vacation entitlement.
Premier Kathleen Wynne made the announcement earlier today.
She says the minimum wage will increase to $14 an hour on Jan. 1, 2018 and will rise to $15 the following year.
A longtime poverty advocate in Windsor is applauding changes announced to the minimum wage and other workplace alterations.
Adam Vasey, with the Downtown Mission, says it recognizes the need for people to earn a living wage.
Adam Vasey (photo via Pathway to Potential website)
He says there is a benefit to the companies who pay a better wage: "we know people who have paid a good wage tend to have less turnover and more productivity and it generally benefits everyone. So today's announcement was the Liberal government recognizing they needed to make that change to ensure no workers are left behind"
Vasey says there is a boost to the overall economy as a result of the increase of minimum wage because those workers spend the money in their local area.
He says other changes to workplace regulations for part time employees will have a benefit as well because more and more employers have been relying on part-time work and there's been very little protection historically for workers generally but especially part-time workers.
Under the rules part time workers will be paid the same as full time employees and after 5 years part time workers will be moved to 3 weeks paid vacation.
Statistics show nearly 30% of workers in the province make less than $15 an hour.