McKenney, Chiarelli promising 'fair wage' policy for city contracts if elected mayor
Two mayoral candidates say they would enact a “fair wage” policy for the city of Ottawa, if elected this October.
Coun. Catherine McKenney said in a news release Monday—marking Labour Day—that the policy would apply to companies seeking contracts to work with the city, such as construction companies, cleaners, and others.
“With a Fair Wage Policy, bidders for City contracts will have to compete on the quality of work they can do, rather than how low they can push down costs at the expense of workers,” the release said.
Former Ottawa mayor Bob Chiarelli also made a fair wage pledge, posting on social media that he would call on council to institute such a policy.
Speaking to CTV News Ottawa by phone, McKenney said the policy, once enacted, would be embedded within the procurement process.
“When a company bids, that fair wage would be baked into the bid,” they explained.
Finding out what a “fair wage” is would be part of the process of studying and implementing such a policy, they said.
“It would be tied to the cost of living, the cost of housing,” McKenney said. “Every municipality has to determine for itself what a fair wage is.”
They expect it would take between six months and a year to study what a fair wage would be and how to integrate it into the city’s procurement process so that it could be presented to city council for a vote.
Staff would determine how such a policy would be enforced, McKenney said.
McKenney added that voters concerned about an increased burden to taxpayers shouldn’t expect to see an impact to their property taxes.
“What I’m hearing is how unaffordable life has become and this policy would help ensure that the workers doing contract work for the city are paid a fair wage,” they said.
In a statement to CTV News Ottawa, Chiarelli’s campaign said he would model the policy after those in Toronto and Hamilton.
“It would prohibit the City of Ottawa from doing business with contractors and suppliers who discriminate against their workers,” Chiarelli said. “The contractors and sub-contractors under this policy would be required to pay their employees at or above designated wage levels.”
He added that the city would investigate complaints and take action when it is determined a contractor has failed to pay its workers a prescribed hourly wage, vacation and holiday pay, and other applicable benefits.
The city of Toronto’s fair wage policy, for example, is administered by its fair wage office, which investigates complaints and takes enforcement action if a contractor is found to have paid its workers less than the prescribed fair wages and benefits.
According to the city of Ottawa, its supply service administers more than $1 billion annually in purchases of goods, services, and construction.
Under the city’s supplier code of conduct and ethical purchasing policy, workers involved in manufacturing products supplied to the City of Ottawa “will be paid wages and benefits for a standard working week, at a minimum, national legal standards or industry benchmark standards, whichever is higher.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
From outer space? Sask. farmers baffled after discovering strange wreckage in field
A family of fifth generation farmers from Ituna, Sask. are trying to find answers after discovering several strange objects lying on their land.
Pearson gold heist suspect arrested after flying into Toronto from India
Another suspect is in custody in connection with the gold heist at Toronto Pearson International Airport last year, police say.
Justin and Hailey Bieber are expecting their first child together
Hailey and Justin Bieber are going to be parents. The couple announced the news on Thursday on Instagram, both sharing a video that showcases Hailey Bieber's growing belly.
New analysis of Beethoven's hair reveals possible cause of mysterious ailments, scientists say
High levels of lead detected in authenticated locks of Ludwig van Beethoven's hair suggest that the composer had lead poisoning, which may have contributed to ailments he endured over the course of his life, including deafness, according to new research.
Debate on abortion rights erupts on Parliament Hill, Poilievre vows he won't legislate
A Conservative government led by Pierre Poilievre would not legislate on, nor use the notwithstanding clause, on abortion, his office says, as anti-abortion protesters gather on Parliament Hill.
B.C. man used Bobcat as 'weapon' while chasing away homeless people, judge says
A B.C. man has been convicted of assault with a weapon after using a skid-steer Bobcat to chase two homeless people from his lawn, injuring one of them in the process.
Ontario family receives massive hospital bill as part of LTC law, refuses to pay
A southwestern Ontario woman has received an $8,400 bill from a hospital in Windsor, Ont., after she refused to put her mother in a nursing home she hated -- and she says she has no intention of paying it.
Flat tire on a highway? Here's why you shouldn't try to fix it
If you're cruising down a highway and realize you have a flat tire, you may want to think twice before stopping to fix it on the side of the road.
Miss Teen USA steps down just days after Miss USA's resignation
Miss Teen USA resigned Wednesday, sending further shock waves through the pageant community just days after Miss USA said she would relinquish her crown.