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Majority of Chamber members oppose hike in minimum pay Nearly 60 per cent of Halton Hills In a province-wide survey respondents Chamber of Commerce members who took from across the province were opposed to an part in a province-wide survey are opposed to immediate increase in the minimum wage to a hike in Ontario's minimum wage to $10 an $10, business owners in areas such as agriculhour. ture, retail, restaurant and food services, and In a recent survey conducted by the tourism and hospitality indicated that this Ontario Chamber of Commerce, 57 per cent sudden adjustment would have a significant of Halton Hills chamber members negative effect on their businesses. who responded said they were "A gradual increase is simply opposed to the increase, while 43 prudent as it allows businesses to per cent supported it. adjust to increased labour costs and "Some sectors would clearly sufplan their budgets accordingly," fer more than others," said Halton said Crispino. "We would continue Hills Chamber President Helen to advocate any increases maintain MacCormack. "The service sector is this measured approach." a major source of local employment Medium sized companies (25 to and we must be careful that increas250 employees) have expressed es to the minimum wage do not sigstronger opposition than any other HELEN nificantly impact employment levels group to the increase in the miniMacCORMACK mum wage to $10. or consumer prices." Minimum wage in Ontario Within this group, companies jumped 25 cents on Feb. 1 to $8 an hour. employing less than 50 employees have shown The Ontario NDP has tabled a private the greatest disagreement (64 per cent) to an member's bill proposing the wage increase to immediate increase to $10, and appear to be $10. most vulnerable to wage increases. Half of The bill by MPP Cheri DiNovo (NDP- these companies indicated that the increase in Parkdale-High Park) received second reading minimum wage would negatively affect their and has been referred to committee for fur- business. ther discussion. Social and ethical concerns about low-wage Len Crispino, President and CEO of the Ontarians appear to be the primary consideraOntario Chamber of Commerce, stressed tions for those supporting the increase, echobusinesses in Ontario are not just concerned ing previous support by Ontario Chamber about the bottom line. members for policies addressing the needs of "While we do not want our province to lower income Ontarians and reducing the tax prosper on the backs of cheap labour we must burden on the poor. find the right balance in order to protect In total 2,124 respondents from across Ontario's position in a competitive global Ontario participated in the survey, with 49 marketplace." local businesses taking part. New executive The Georgetown Agricultural Society recently held its annual general meeting at the Georgetown Seniors Centre where the new executive for 2007 was announced. Executive members are (back row) from left, Hugh Tomkinson (director), Dave Shrubsole (2nd vice-president), Greg Barr (1st vice-president). Middle row: Manley Densmore (director), Lena Thompson (director), Judy Shrubsole (director), Marion Jonassen (director), Ruth Kelly (director), Gail Thompson (director at large), Jeff Nurse (director). Front row: John Nurse (president), Emily Dobson (Fall Fair Ambassador) Photo by Amber Richmond and Doreen Densmore (director). Damage set at $10,000 in car blaze Halton Hills firefighters were called to the intersection at Todd Rd. and Sinclair Ave. last Wednesday evening at approximately 9:30 p.m. for a car fire. When they arrived they found the engine compartment of a 2006 Audi A3 was fully involved. Firefighters extinguished the blaze. Damage is estimated at $10,000. At press time the cause of the fire was undetermined.