According to the study, the province has lost almost 318,000 manufacturing jobs since 2000, resulting in a shift to typically low-wage, non-unionized work like retail jobs. Simultaneously, the report finds that almost 12 per cent of the Ontario workforce is now being paid minimum wage, currently set at $11.25. That’s the highest proportion in Canada, which has a national average of around 7 per cent.
Around one third of Ontario workers — or 1.7 million people — are now also considered low-wage, defined as making within $4 of the minimum wage.
Around one third of Ontario workers — or 1.7 million people — are now also considered low-wage, defined as making within $4 of the minimum wage.