New year brings minimum wage increase, potential rent increases for Ontario residents
CBC
The new year brings some changes to Ontario residents that can directly effect monthly expenses, including a minimum wage increase and rent increase.
Here's a look at some of the changes:
The minimum wage in Ontario will be increasing to $15 per hour on Jan. 1.
Under the change, the special minimum wage rate for liquor servers will be eliminated and they will fall under the general minimum wage category, up to $15 from the current $12.55.
According to the province, special wage rates are also increasing for:
For the 2022 tax year, the Ontario government is offering residents tax credits for taking advantage of accommodations within the province.
This personal income tax credit would provide up to 20 per cent of eligible accommodation expenses of up to $1,000 for an individual and $2,000 for a family, for a maximum credit of $200 or $400, respectively.
Eligible accommodations would have to be:
Based on inflation, the maximum allowable rent increase in Ontario is 1.2 per cent for 2022.
Landlords have to apply to the Landlord Tenant Board for any rent increase that exceeds that amount.
The increase comes after Ontario froze rent for the vast majority of tenants in 2021 due to the pandemic. To support renters, the 2021 rent increase guideline was set at 0 per cent.
Rent increases are not automatic or mandatory and tenants must be given 90 days written notice using the correct form.
In addition, at least 12 months must have passed since the first day of the tenancy or the last rent increase. If a tenant believes they have received an improper rent increase, they may dispute it at the board within 12 months.
The Condominium Authority Tribunal (CAT) will have jurisdiction over new matters in the new year. On Sept. 23, the Ministry of Government and Consumer Services expanded their governing power on some matters starting Jan. 1.
P.E.I.'s Public Schools Branch is looking for 50 substitute bus drivers, and it'll be recruiting at three job fairs on Saturday, June 8. The job fairs are located at the Atlantic Superstore in Montague, Royalty Crossing in Charlottetown, and the bus parking lot of Three Oaks Senior High in Summerside. All three run from 9 a.m. until noon. Dave Gillis, the director of transportation and risk management for the Public Schools Branch, said the number of substitute drivers they're hiring isn't unusual. "We are always looking for more. Our drivers tend to have an older demographic," he said.