ON - Liberals reject call for $10/hr. minimum wage
Listen to those living in poverty
Liberals reject call for $10/hr. minimum wage
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Oct. 18.
We fully agree with Premier Dalton McGuinty who acknowledged this week that "there is more work to be done" to ease poverty.
Ontario’s nurses add their voices to that of Hugh Mackenzie who says "shameful."
Indeed, it isshameful and disgraceful that in a province as rich as Ontario people struggle between feeding their children and paying the
rent.
As nurses, we are gravely concerned about poverty. We know the connection between social determinants of health and health outcomes. We know that those who have a stable and good paying job, a decent and affordable roof over their heads, adequate food for them and for their loved ones, and a support network can expect to enjoy better health and well-being.
For a decade, inadequate social assistance rates have pushed hundreds of thousands into poverty. Street nurses and others see
first-hand how poverty robs people of their dignity and wears away at their health.
The McGuinty government promised to close the gap between the "haves" and the "have-nots." Now is the time to heed the voices of the thousands who live in poverty: increase the minimum wage to $10 an hour, increase social assistance rates, build more affordable housing and restore the cuts to the special diet program.
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Mary Ferguson-Paré, President,
Registered Nurses’ Association of Ontario, Toronto
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