An unintended consequence of Ontario’s plan to increase the minimum wage to $15 by 2019 could be the rise of self-checkouts in chains in cities like North Bay. Businesses and workers remain divided on opinions surrounding the plan. The Ontario Chamber of Commerce, as well as the local chamber, have warned the legislation could result in job losses when rolled out so quickly.
On the flip side, North Bay and District Labour Council President Henri Giroux says he advises people against using self-checkouts every chance he gets. Giroux has been an ardent supporter of the $15 minimum wage for years now, and says if people want their kids to get jobs they need to stop using self-checkouts. Giroux says the rise of self-checkouts is nothing but pure greed from corporations, and doesn’t need to happen.
