NDP: Just another slap in the face of Ontario Workers.

QUEEN’S PARK – After reports showing nearly $200 million in wage theft, NDP shadow minister of labour MPP Jamie West (Sudbury) demanded action from the Premier during question period:

“In a time when the Minister of Labour is already facing serious allegations of giving the Skills Development Fund to friends and insiders, these reports are just another slap in the face of Ontario workers. Nearly $200 million in stolen wages, and a government that refuses to enforce its own laws, is unacceptable.

“In 2018, the Conservative Minister of Labour instructed staff not to initiate any new proactive inspections. According to the ministry’s own data, these proactive inspections are far more effective at preventing and recovering unpaid wages than waiting for individual workers to file complaints. Today, workplace inspections are 77% lower than they were seven years ago.

West, highlighting the nearly $200 million in wage theft, asked the Premier why he was allowing millions of hard-earned dollars to be stolen right out of workers' pockets.

“Doug Ford and his conservatives need to take immediate action, stand up for our workers, and get these wages back.”