Restaurant industry supports New Brunswick’s proposed two-tier minimum wage

Two-tier system recognizes high cost of training and income from tips: CRFA

The Canadian Restaurant and Foodservices Association (CRFA) supports the New Brunswick government’s re-examination of minimum wage to assist small businesses and grow job opportunities in the province.

Finance Minister Blaine Higgs suggested the province consider a two-tiered minimum wage with a lower wage for workers under 18. Luc Erjavec, CRFA’s vice-president, Atlantic Canada, said this is positive for restaurants and all small businesses in the province.

“Small businesses in New Brunswick, particularly during an economic downturn, have been hit hard by the 21 per cent increase in minimum wage implemented by the previous government,” said Erjavec. “A two-tier wage system recognizes the high cost of training inexperienced workers and significant income earned by tipped employees, and could help employers create new jobs across the province.”

The restaurant industry is one of New Brunswick’s largest private-sector employers with more than the 24,000 employees.

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