We're almost there . . . . a few more signatures and Elizabeth May will be   
   taking it before the House.  The link is at the bottom.  Help out the   
   essential workers who have risked their health every day during this pandemic.   
   ________________________________________________   
      
      
   > Nanaimo resident petitions for $20-per-hour minimum wage for essential   
   workers   
   >   
   > Taxpayer says some workers are assessing if their jobs are worth the risk   
   >   
   >     
   > A Nanaimo taxpayer has started a petition asking for a temporary   
   minimum-wage increase for essential workers during the COVID-19 pandemic.   
   >   
   > Brian Gaensbauer has registered a petition with the House of Commons asking   
   that minimum wage be supplemented to $20 per hour for workers in sectors   
   deemed essential.   
   >   
   > Gaensbauer’s petition has received authorization from Saanich-Gulf Islands   
   MP Elizabeth May, and if it reaches 500 signatures in 30 days, will be read in   
   the house.   
   >   
   > Gaensbauer said employees are now facing risks they hadn’t before, and in   
   some cases their jobs have become more difficult. He believes some are   
   wondering if their jobs are worth the risk.   
   >   
   > “We want to keep those people working if they are healthy and maybe   
   compensate them more for the risk that they’re taking and the extra   
   workload, in some cases,” he said.   
   >   
   > His petition notes that some small- and medium-sized businesses that have   
   been deemed to be essential services are unable to pay higher wages and might   
   not meet the government’s criteria for wage subsidies under other COVID-19   
   relief programs.   
   >   
   > “I’m a taxpayer myself and I’m not a big fan of subsidies to business   
   or just spending money, but given the large amount that has been pledged by   
   the government for other sorts of stimulus, we’re into the many billions,”   
   Gaensbauer said.   
   >   
   > He said he thinks $20-per-hour minimum wage would help a lot of essential   
   services workers in Nanaimo and with 127 signatures so far, he’s hopeful he   
   can reach the threshold.   
   > _____________________________________   
   >   
   > Petition here:   
       
   https://petitions.ourcommons.ca/en/Petition/Details?Petition=e-2509   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)