Ontario committed to portable benefits: labour minister

The Ontario government is working to move forward on a plan to offer “portable benefits” to workers who don’t have dental, health or vision coverage.

Labour Minister Monte McNaughton said the province is awaiting recommendations expected this month from a panel of experts on how best to implement the benefits package.

This is one of multiple pending policies on the labour file McNaughton has carried over since the Progressive Conservatives were re-elected last month.

McNaughton said cabinet is also currently discussing next steps for its temporary program offering three days of paid sick leave that’s set to expire at the end of this month.

He said the government will share next steps for paid sick leave in the coming weeks.

McNaughton also said Ontario is sticking with its plan to increase the minimum wage by 50 cents to $15.50 in October and won’t change that increase based on inflation seen since then.