Minimum wage
By BarBaraPrz
@BarBaraPrz (52239)
St. Catharines, Ontario
September 21, 2026 7:51am CST
Ontario’s minimum wage will rise 35 cents from $17.60 to $17.95 an hour on Oct. 1.
I remember when minimum wage was a measely $1 an hour.
Back then (1969) I'd have to work two 8-hour shifts to make almost that much, but it was enough to buy a week's groceries. Now, that might pay for a Big Mac, fries, a "pie" and a drink.
Someone working full-time today at the minimum wage would make $718 a week or about $2872 a month before deductions. Sounds good, doesn't it? Except that they may be paying $2000 a month for rent, $400 a month for groceries, leaving $472 a month to pay for everything else.
How can anyone with a family survive?
12 people like this
12 responses
@Marilynda1225 (92723)
• United States
21 Sep
It's so hard to make ends meet these days even with an increase in minimum wage. I really don't know how families manage even if they are a two income household.
4 people like this
@BarBaraPrz (52239)
• St. Catharines, Ontario
21 Sep
I guess they realise they don't need to keep up with everything.
2 people like this
@Juliaacv (57934)
• Canada
21 Sep
Those who earn so low are usually eligible for all of the government assistance GST, Food Benefits, and so on.
I remember when the GST came out, we were visiting with friends, and they were telling us that they received it, but we did not. My husband didn't say much, but when we were on our way home he explained to me that they were income supplements, and that we made 'too much' for consideration.
I am glad that the gov't has the means to assist those who need it, we're all doing our very best.
4 people like this
@BarBaraPrz (52239)
• St. Catharines, Ontario
22 Sep
I'm not sure of the cut off point, but yeah, not everyone qualifies.
3 people like this
@RasmaSandra (102137)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
21 Sep
I have enough problems managing from SS to SS if I had to take care of other people I could no, Families are expensive to take care of these days
4 people like this
@BarBaraPrz (52239)
• St. Catharines, Ontario
22 Sep
Some have way too much but want even more, more, more! while the rest of us have less and less. 
3 people like this
@JudyEv (390960)
• Rockingham, Australia
22 Sep
@BarBaraPrz I hear what you're saying and couldn't agree more. That's so true.
2 people like this
@BarBaraPrz (52239)
• St. Catharines, Ontario
21 Sep
And that's why there are so many homeless these days: they can't afford the rent or qualify for a mortgage.
2 people like this
@dodo19 (48622)
• Beaconsfield, Quebec
21 Sep
@BarBaraPrz Absolutely. It's sad to see the number of homelessness go up.
2 people like this
@BACONSTRIPSXXX (19102)
• West Haven, Connecticut
22 Sep
Yeah that's still not enough, I make 42 an hour and salary based and doing uber on the side to be able to survive. My wife also has two jobs
2 people like this
@BACONSTRIPSXXX (19102)
• West Haven, Connecticut
22 Sep
@BarBaraPrz It really is, we work literally 7 days a week for this American Dream/Nightmare. Nothing is affordable and with three kids the expenses aren't cheap
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (64773)
•
2 Nov
The wages sound like a lot, but yes, the prices are crazy.
One of my friends here has a young daughter who is raising her young sons alone. Her (now ex) husband ran off with another woman, and has not been located since the divorce, so she is the sole support of 3 young boys, despite court ordered child support. You can't make them pay if you can't even find them...anyway, she works full time, is finishing a college degree online, and in her nonexistent spare time, she does deliveries through Door Dash. Her rent for a small apartment is crazy high and has gone up and up...people are really struggling. I've cut back in ways I never even thought of before, but hey, a person has to do what they have to do.
1 person likes this
@BarBaraPrz (52239)
• St. Catharines, Ontario
2 Nov
Poor thing...
In this day and age of constant surveillance, it shouldn't be that difficult to hunt him down... get the tax dept, in the act.
1 person likes this
@BarBaraPrz (52239)
• St. Catharines, Ontario
3 Nov
@MarieCoyle Schneaky bastad.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (64773)
•
3 Nov
@BarBaraPrz
He has quit two more jobs to avoid paying child support. He always seemed to be such a good and kind young man. But not anymore.
1 person likes this
