City staff is recommending that Toronto steer clear of a bid to host the 2022 Commonwealth Games because it would cost hundreds of thousands of dollars that the Toronto doesn’t have. The recommendation is contained in a report that was released Monday ahead of a meeting of the City’s Economic Development Committee. It names “major risks and constraints” on such a bid. High up on that list of concerns is a lack of commitment by either the federal or provincial government to help out financially. “Given the scale and complexity of the Games, a multi-party cost-sharing agreement between all three orders of government similar to that used during the 2015 Pan Am/Parapan Am Games would need to be in place to successfully host the 2022 Games in Toronto,” the report states.
INCREASE IN MINIMUM WAGE COMING
The Ontario government will announce an increase the minimum wage Tuesday. The increase was telegraphed Monday by the Premier who says an increase “is necessary” because the economy is doing well. It seems safe to say that whatever amount is set, it will not be the $15 an hour which is much lobbied for by unions. That would add $3.60 to hourly wages, a staggering increase for most small businesses. However well the economy is doing now, that type of increase would seem likely to slow it down. The Liberals will make the wage announcement Tuesday, along with revealing their plans to alter provincial labour laws following the recommendations of a recent government-commissioned report.
RUBBER DUCK PUNS WORSE THAN THE COST
