Greens support a fair economy for workers and small business

Green Party of Ontario leader Mike Schreiner issued the following statement in response to the Liberal’s announcement on the Changing Workplaces Review:Greens support a fair economy for workers and the businesses who employ them.
 
I urge the government to lower payroll taxes on small businesses by doubling the Employer Health Tax (EHT) exemption when implementing an increase in the minimum wage. This is good for workers and small businesses.
 
Small businesses are the job creators in Ontario. We want government to help small businesses create jobs, not cut jobs or reduce workers’ hours. 
 
Being able to double their payroll before paying the EHT is good for job creation and fair for small businesses. Small businesses understand the benefits of a living wage, and government can help them deliver on those benefits. 
 
Greens also want lower income workers to take home more of their earnings as part of a living wage strategy.
 
We are calling on the government to raise the personal income tax exemption for low-income earners.
 
A living wage and fairer taxes will put more money into the pockets of lower income workers. This will benefit workers and our local economies.

 
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