(Photo courtesy morguefile.com)(Photo courtesy morguefile.com)
Chatham

Minimum Wage Increase Challenges Small Business

Small business is already feeling the impact of tomorrow's minimum wage increase.

Gail Hundt, president and CEO of the Chatham-Kent Chamber of Commerce, says the increase is needed, but it's just one more thing that small business has to deal with.

"Electricity and hydro rates going up, minimum wage, other source deductions, there's a number of things that are affecting small business and their bottom line," says Hundt.

She adds that it's much easier for small business to handle the increase now that it's tied to inflation.

"If they know that this is going to be coming at an annual increase, it's much easier to forecast the future," say Hundt. "And you build that into you budget and that's much easier for the small business owner to anticipate."

Ontario's minimum wage goes up to $11.40 an hour from $11.25 an hour starting tomorrow.

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