in si de ha lto n. co m O ak vi lle B ea ve r | T hu rs da y, N ov em be r 29 ,2 01 8 | 8 ABOUT US This newspaper, published every Thursday, is a division of the Metroland Media Group Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Torstar Corporation. The Metroland family of newspapers is comprised family of newspapers is comprised f of more than 80 community publications across Ontario. This newspaper is a member of the National NewsMedia Council. Complainants are urged to bring their concerns to the attention of the news- paper and, if not satisfied, write The National NewsMedia Council, Suite 200, 890 Yonge St., Toronto, ON M4W 2H2. Phone: 416-340-1981 Web: www.mediacouncil.ca editor@oakvillebeaver.com facebook.com/OakvilleBeavfacebook.com/OakvilleBeavf @OakvilleBeaver WHO WE ARE VP, Regional Publisher Kelly Montague Regional Managing Editor Catherine O'Hara Managing Editor Karen Miceli Director of Distribution Charlene Hall Circulation Manager Kim Mossman Director of Production Mark Dills Regional Production Manager Manny Garcia Regional General Manager Steve Foreman Halton Media General Manager Vicki Dillane Regional Director of Media Holly Chriss CONTACT US Oakville Beaver 901 Guelph Line Burlington, ON L7R 3N8 Phone: 289-293-0617 Classifieds: 1-800-263-6480 Digital/Flyer/Retail: 289-293-0624 Letters to the editor All letters must be fewer than 200 words and include your name and telephone number for verification purposes. We for verification purposes. We f reserve the right to edit, con- dense or reject letters. Delivery For all delivery inquiries, please e-mail kmossman@metroland.com or call 905-631-6095. OPINION TO LEARN HOW TO SUBMIT YOUR OWN CONTENT VISIT INSIDEHALTON.COM EDITORIAL The decision to repeal Bill 148 slams the door on the people who earn the least in our community. Going beyond ideology, we need to look at the evi- dence. You'll find no statis- tical evidence that the workplace reforms and minimum wage increase caused widespread job loss or economic damage. In fact, this July, six months after the last minimum wage increase and when la- bour reforms took effect, Ontario's jobless rate dropped to 5.4 per cent, the lowest it has been since the year 2000. There is no doubt that the minimum wage hike and employment reforms hit the profit margin of some companies, led to some layoffs and some companies halted plans to expand their operations. However, for every piece of anecdotal evidence show- ing negative effects on a business, you can find an- ecdotal evidence of low- wage workers who were better off right here in Hal- ton Region. These changes were made to put more money in workers' pockets and less in employers' pockets and for good rea- son. This a local issue. In Halton Region, we have 44,500 people living below the low-income measure. The majority of these indi- viduals are already work- ing full-time hours, mak- ing minimum wage. With this change, how can they pull themselves out of pov- erty? Under Bill 148, workers will lose paid sick days, la- bour laws will be gutted to restore exploitative prac- tice, make it harder for workers to unionize, re- move the right to equal pay for equal work, on top of cutting the wage in- crease. By taking away these basic protections that aimed to put more money in the pockets of low wage workers, the government will hurt our minimum wage workers, including local women, workers of colour, young families and newcomersfamilies and newcomersf to Halton. Sarah Sabihuddin is the Halton Poverty Round- table director of communi- ty engagement. REPEAL OF BILL 148 HURTS THOSE WHO EARN THE LEAST IN OUR COMMUNITY 44,500 LIVING BELOW LOW-INCOME MEASURE, WRITES SABIHUDDIN SIGN UP FOR OUR WEEKLY NEWSLETTER AT INSIDEHALTON.COM The young leaders of tomorrow are already making their mark in the community. You don't have to look far to find them. They are in our schools, sports organiza- tions and churches - they are the kids next door. Annually, the Ontario Community Newspaper Asso- ciation looks to recognize outstanding youth for their contributions locally - and beyond. The Junior Citizen of the Year award shines a special light on Ontario residents ages six to 17, who are in- volved in many aspects of community life. To help identify these cool kids the OCNA, of which this newspaper is a member, needs your help. The public is encouraged to nominate an outstanding youth in one of five categories. They include: • A person involved in worthwhile community ser- vice; • A special young person contributing to his or her community while living with a physical or psychologi- cal limitation; • An individual who has performed an act of heroism in the past year; • Excellence in achievement, such as the arts or ath- letics; • Good kids who show a commitment to making life better for others and do more than is normally expected of someone their age. Up to 12 nominees will be chosen as the final recipi- ents of the award who will be invited to a ceremony next spring. Halton is home to many of these outstanding youth. Annually, youngsters in Burlington, Milton, Oakville and Halton Hills are nominated for their contributions. Past nominees and award recipients include Connor Withers of Burlington, who builds birdhouses and sells them in an effort to boost the Joseph Brant Hospital Foundation. He was recognized with the 2013 Junior Citizen of the Year award, and since receiving the ho- nour has continued to hone his woodworking skills for the cause. Most recently, super volunteer Hannah Goodwin, of Milton, and Georgetown's Addison Brown and Zoe Tave- nor were nominated. They each received a certificate of recognition and were featured in their hometown paper. Help shine a spotlight on others local stars. Nominate them for a Junior Citizen of the Year award today. To nominate an outstanding youth, visit the OCNA website and fill out the nomination form. The deadline for nomination is fast approaching. Nominations are due before Dec. 1. For more information, visit www.ocna.org/juniorciti- zen. NOMINATE AN OUTSTANDING YOUTH SARAH SABIHUDDIN Column