PETITION: Minimum $20-hr wage for essential workers

[brewn...@gmail.com]

We're almost there . . . . a few more signatures and Elizabeth May will be taking it before the House. The link is at the bottom. Help out the essential workers who have risked their health every day during this pandemic.

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https://www.nanaimobulletin.com/news/nanaimo-resident-petitions-for-20-per-hour-minimum-wage-for-essential-workers/
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> > Nanaimo resident petitions for $20-per-hour minimum wage for essential workers
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> > Taxpayer says some workers are assessing if their jobs are worth the risk
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> > A Nanaimo taxpayer has started a petition asking for a temporary minimum-wage increase for essential workers during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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> > Brian Gaensbauer has registered a petition with the House of Commons asking that minimum wage be supplemented to $20 per hour for workers in sectors deemed essential.
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> > Gaensbauer’s petition has received authorization from Saanich-Gulf Islands MP Elizabeth May, and if it reaches 500 signatures in 30 days, will be read in the house.
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> > Gaensbauer said employees are now facing risks they hadn’t before, and in some cases their jobs have become more difficult. He believes some are wondering if their jobs are worth the risk.
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> > “We want to keep those people working if they are healthy and maybe compensate them more for the risk that they’re taking and the extra workload, in some cases,” he said.
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> > His petition notes that some small- and medium-sized businesses that have been deemed to be essential services are unable to pay higher wages and might not meet the government’s criteria for wage subsidies under other COVID-19 relief programs.
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> > “I’m a taxpayer myself and I’m not a big fan of subsidies to business or just spending money, but given the large amount that has been pledged by the government for other sorts of stimulus, we’re into the many billions,” Gaensbauer said.
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> > He said he thinks $20-per-hour minimum wage would help a lot of essential services workers in Nanaimo and with 127 signatures so far, he’s hopeful he can reach the threshold.
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> > Petition here:

https://petitions.ourcommons.ca/en/Petition/Details?Petition=e-2509