BARRIE, ON - Proposed legislation Bill 148, The Fair Workplaces, Better Jobs Act will impact every business in the province if it is passed, increasing the minimum wage in a very short time-frame, and reshaping employment regulations in many other areas.

From July 10 to 21, the Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs will be holding a series of Public Hearings across the province on Bill 148. This is an opportunity for you to have your position on raising the minimum wage and proposed labour reforms heard by the Committee, and the Barrie Chamber strongly encourages you to participate.

At this time, there is no Central Ontario location, but presentations can also be made to the Committee by phone. The Barrie Chamber of Commerce is pulling together area associations to work with the local MPP to try to secure a Central Ontario hearing for this important conversation, and to correct this scheduling oversight.

HOW TO PARTICIPATE:

Interested people who wish to be considered to make an oral presentation on Bill 148 during the week of July 17, 2017, should provide their contact name, mailing address, phone number, and email address to the Clerk of the Committee by 10:00 a.m. on Monday, July 10, 2017.(Contact details below)

Those who do not wish to make an oral presentation but wish to comment on the Bill may send a written submission to the Clerk of the Committee at the address below by 5:30 p.m. on Friday, July 21, 2017.

FORMAT OF PRESENTATIONS:

Presentations would be about five minutes of your position and thoughts on the bill, followed by questions from the committee members.

If you are selected by the Clerk and wish to present in person, their office will reach out to inquire about your availability to present at the following locations on the dates listed below (please note the presenter registration deadline):

Presenter Registration Deadline is Monday, July 10, 2017 at 10:00a.m.

• Monday, July 17: London
• Tuesday, July 18: Kitchener-Waterloo
• Wednesday, July 19: Niagara
• Thursday, July 20: Hamilton
• Friday, July 21: Toronto

Questions about the hearings can be directed to Julian Portelli, the Minister's Senior Policy Advisor, at julian.portelli@ontario.ca, or call your local MPP; in Barrie, we are represented by Ann Hoggarth, 705-726-5538 or ahoggarth.mpp.co@liberal.ola.org.