Media Advisory: Holiday Action Calls for Peace, Prosperity and $14 Minimum Wage in 2014

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA -- (Marketwired) -- 12/14/13 -- On December 14, community members and union activists donning Santa hats will hand out candy canes and collect holiday cards for Premier Kathleen Wynne. The holiday cards wish for peace, prosperity, justice -- and a $14 minimum wage for all workers.

Toronto Eaton's Centre
WHAT:       Holiday action outside the Eaton's Centre
WHEN:       11:15am, Saturday December 14, 2013
WHERE:      Toronto Eaton's Centre, meet at south-east corner of Yonge and
            Dundas
WHO:        Campaign to Raise the Minimum Wage and OPSEU Provincial Young
            Workers' Committee
VISUALS:    Supporters wearing Santa hats handing out candy canes and hot
            chocolate, and getting holiday cards signed for Premier
            Kathleen Wynne
            Santa and Mrs. Claus will be making an appearance

Malvern Town Centre
WHAT:       Petition drive
WHEN:       1:00 - 3:00pm, Saturday December 14, 2013
WHERE:      Malvern Town Centre, 31 Tapscott Rd. (at Neilson Rd. and
            McLevin Ave.)
WHO:        Campaign to Raise the Minimum Wage and Respect Scarborough

"This holiday season we are asking Premier Kathleen Wynne to make 2014 brighter for all and to implement a $14 minimum wage," says Adriana Salazar of the Mennonite New Life Centre. "A $14 minimum wage will boost our economy, create jobs, and reduce income inequality."

The minimum wage has been frozen for over three years, pushing Ontario workers nearly 20% below the poverty line. The government-appointed Minimum Wage Advisory Panel is expected to make its recommendations in early 2014. The Campaign to Raise the Minimum Wage has calculated that a minimum wage increase to $14 will result in a $5 billion boost to the Ontario economy.

Community members in over 15 cities are participating in holiday actions on December 14th in a provincial day of action for a $14 minimum wage.

For more information on the campaign, visit: www.raisetheminimumwage.ca.

Follow the campaign Twitter account @fairwagesnow and hashtag #14now.

The Campaign to Raise the Minimum Wage is coordinated by ACORN, Freedom 90, Mennonite New Life Centre, OCAP, Ontario Campaign 2000, Parkdale Community Legal Services, Put Food in the Budget, Social Planning Toronto, Toronto and York Region Labour Council and Workers' Action Centre.

Contacts:
Sonia Singh
[phone] or [phone], ext. 221
[e-mail]