Rick Nicholls is concerned about how the minimum wage increase will affect the greenhouse industry.
The MPP says most businesses share similar concerns.
“They’re very very concerned about it. It’s going to add well over $1 million dollars in additional costs. Where do those additional costs come from? They come from their bottom line. But then you look at some of the other hidden costs, such as the cost for CPP or employer health tax, unemployment insurance, WSIB – they’re going to skyrocket as well”, Nicholls explains.
Nicholls says it’s not just employers who have concerns. 
“Employees are also very worried about this minimum wage hike – which is too much too soon. They’re fearful of their jobs because they know there is going to be cut backs, job loss and they’re fearful that it could be their job that gets cut”, says Nicholls.
“What’s the motivation for raising the minimum wage at this point in time, less than 10 months before an election?”, Nicholls says.
He made the comments after Premier Kathleen Wynne visited Truly Green Farms in Chatham on Thursday.
