Report on Small Business newsletter: Ontario eyes more wage hikes amid small-business backlash

Ontario eyes more wage hikes amid small-business backlash

Ontario's minimum wage is set to keep rising by at least the rate of inflation even after it hits $15 an hour in 2019.

Labour Minister Kevin Flynn said on Friday the government intends to bring back indexing to "keep up with inflation" – the latest announcement by Premier Kathleen Wynne's Liberal government on an issue that has become intensely political, sparking a wave of backlash from the small-business community.

In 2014, the government decided to peg increases in the minimum wage to inflation. But that changed in 2017 when it chose to ditch the policy and instead raise the minimum wage by nearly 30 per cent in less than two years. Full story (Globe subscribers)

Protests in Iran lead to a surge in downloads of Canadian VPN tools

Recent protests in Iran over economic policies are giving a boost to two Canadian companies offering virtual private networks and other software that can circumvent government moves to censor internet traffic. Full story

How once-tiny pet-food maker took a bite of the global market

Canada's small businesses often face challenges in exporting their products – they need to appeal to different cultures or adapt to suit far-away tastes. It's a different beast altogether, however, when success hinges on pulling the heartstrings of dedicated pet owners worldwide. Full story

Ratehub taps $12-million in venture funding from Boston-based Elephant Partners LP

Alyssa Furtado, co-founder of the financial-technology company Ratehub Inc., strode with confidence on to the set of the CBC's Dragons' Den in mid-2016. Ratehub's growth was surging. Ms. Furtado offered the Dragons a tenth of the company: "Today I'm asking for a million dollars." Full story

Canadian government urged to support small businesses owned by women

A cross-border women's business group launched from a meeting last year between Justin Trudeau and Ivanka Trump is urging the Canadian government to create a procurement policy with a target of allocating 5 per cent of federal contracts to small businesses owned by women. Full story

'Right thing to do': JJ Bean gives Ontario minimum wage to Vancouver staff

Regular JJ Bean customers may have noticed that the price of a full-bodied cup of Railtown has risen by a few cents. The company, which has stores in Toronto and Vancouver, increased the price of its products from one to three per cent on Jan. 1 to offset Ontario's minimum wage hike, which went from $11.60 to $14 an hour. Full story

Facebook changes will harm small businesses, says Vancouver marketing firm

As Facebook's news feed changes roll out over the next several months, small business could find themselves the hardest hit. The organization's chief executive, Mark Zuckerberg, said the company would change the filter for its news feed to prioritize what friends and family share — while reducing the amount of non-advertising content from publishers and brands. Full story

Parking discount offered near King Street pilot after business owners voice concerns

The city will offer a $10 discount to those parking in select on-street spaces near the King Street pilot as part of their latest attempt to address the sagging profits reported by many bars and restaurants in the area. Full story

Councillor calls for review to protect Vancouver's 'heart and soul' small businesses

Are Vancouver's small businesses being taxed to death? One Vancouver city councillor thinks so, and he's calling for a comprehensive review of the city's policies that's aimed at protecting local enterprise. Full story

Small businesses need to be prepared for possible end of NAFTA, says analyst

Rumours are swirling about the possibility that the U.S. will pull out of NAFTA, and preparing for the worst is simply good business sense, according to the Canada West Foundation. The Calgary-based think tank is set to release a new guide this month that will help small businesses prepare for a possible pullout by the U.S. Full story