Evidence of meeting #28 for Industry, Science and Technology in the 43rd Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was employees.
A recording is available from Parliament.
President, Loblaw Companies Limited
The safety protocols were put in very early in the pandemic, and it is the change in the volumes—
Liberal
Ali Ehsassi Liberal Willowdale, ON
These are explanations that are at odds with each other, would you not agree?
Liberal
Ali Ehsassi Liberal Willowdale, ON
You think that it says here it was because of appreciation. Is that what you heard?
President, Loblaw Companies Limited
I think what I heard from that note is that it's a result of the fact that things were more back to normal, and we had done the thank-you bonus and the premium pay. Things were trending—
Liberal
Ali Ehsassi Liberal Willowdale, ON
I can assure you that the people who are working as cashiers don't think this is normal. They're just as concerned going into work every single day. That, to me, would seem to be the reality we're faced with.
Now, in that statement by Mr. Weston, it says, “I continue to be a strong believer in a progressive minimum wage”. That's something you've echoed as well. You keep telling us that, if the government provides some guidance and there's some co-operation that takes place and you're not the only company, you would agree to better wages.
However, if memory serves, in 2017, when the Province of Ontario was thinking of increasing the minimum wage, I understand that your company was very much against that. Is that not right?
President, Loblaw Companies Limited
No, that is not true. Our company was not against the minimum wage. Our company was against the speed at which it was being implemented.
Liberal
Ali Ehsassi Liberal Willowdale, ON
I have numerous different articles that say Loblaw was against these wage increases.
President, Loblaw Companies Limited
Do you have the words that Mr. Weston said? That is not what he said.
Liberal
Ali Ehsassi Liberal Willowdale, ON
Yes. In fact, this says, “Mr. Weston called the wage increases 'the most significant in recent memory' adding that the company is expediting measures to save money, such as...rolling out more self-checkouts at Shoppers Drug Mart. 'We have a lot of work ahead of us.'” That's one.
President, Loblaw Companies Limited
That doesn't say that he is against a minimum wage.
Liberal
Ali Ehsassi Liberal Willowdale, ON
Another one here, from the Toronto Sun, reads, “Loblaws was the latest to get on the anti-minimum wage raise bandwagon”.
Liberal
Ali Ehsassi Liberal Willowdale, ON
No. I'm just saying there are numerous.... Were you guys in favour of the raise in the minimum wage?
President, Loblaw Companies Limited
We found that the speed at which the minimum wage was being increased was difficult for a company like ours to deal with, but we are very much in favour of a progressive minimum wage.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Sherry Romanado
Thank you very much.
That is, unfortunately, all the time that we have today. I'd like to thank the witnesses for being with us today.
With that, we call this meeting adjourned.