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the FREE September 22, 2016 reflector www.TheReflector.ca News Features Arts Sports Everything you need to Real-life princesses Looking back at World Cup of Hockey know about Alberta’s bring joy to children Beakerhead 2016 turns out better than minimum wage hike everyone thought Pg. 2 Pg. 5 Pg. 9 Pg. 13 News Editor Amy Tucker news [email protected] Minimum wage set to increase to $15 CFIB say small businesses will be hit the hardest while others say the hike is necessary for low-income earners Amy Tucker job cuts during an economic “There’s a very mixed impact basement and working just to earning years and are at the News Editor downturn,” the CFIB states. on the overall economic impact earn extra spending money is stage where they are planning The survey also showed that of minimum wages,” Professor not the reality for most low- for or are already supporting 89 per cent of small businesses of Economics at Carleton wage workers,” said Public families.” The economic downturn has disagreed that government University Francis Woolley told Interest Alberta Executive undoubtedly affected small should increase the minimum Global News. Director, Joel French. “Most of businesses. Now following wage rate during economic Public Interest Alberta and these workers are in their prime the Alberta Government’s downturns. Only two per cent the Alberta College of Social announcement last week that of respondents agreed while Workers released low-wage $15 an hour minimum wage nine per cent don’t know. data for the year. According to has been enacted in regulation, “Premier Notley stated that the report, nearly one in five one in four small businesses her aggressive minimum workers are earning low wages say they will have to layoff an wage policy won’t kill jobs. in Alberta. employee. Then show us the evidence. Low wages included those According to a survey by CFIB Small business owners have earning $16 per hour or less - an organization representing expressed a fundamentally is 21.2 per cent of employed the interests of small businesses different perspective based Albertans and those earning - the impact will be severe. The on their experience. If the the current minimum wage report shows that 26 per cent of Premier valued the views of ($12.20 per hour) or less is 8.3 businesses say they will reduce entrepreneurs she should listen per cent of employees. the hours of staff and cut down and act on what they have to The data from the report also on the number of employees. say,” says Amber Ruddy, CFIB’s shows that 60 per cent of low The repercussions of the Alberta Director. wage workers are women, 77% wage hike will be staggering However, some say that it’s per cent of low wage workers unemployment rates, the not as black and white as labour are 20 years and older, and organization says. costs going up and jobs being 32.6% are between 25 and 44 “Job losses from minimum lost and that a hike in minimum years old. wage increases can take the Alberta Retail workers rejoice while small business owners wage won’t necessarily put a “The image of a teenager remain fearful afterthe announcement of the minimum wage form of hiring freezes, slower chill on the economy. living in their parents’ employment growth, or direct hike to $15/hr. (Photo By Melanie Walsh) Youth Hiring Incentive Retracted Small businesses concerned over employment insurance premiums Georgia Longphee said Dan Kelly, CFIB president. where employment by small Staff Writer “While employees and large businesses are needed the most. employers are expected to see Those ages 18 to 24 are the A recent government their rates drop in 2017, small most likely to need these kind retraction of a promise to employers will actually pay a of jobs due to fees such as rent implement a youth hiring little more, due to the end of or student loans, and giving an incentive to small business the Small Business Job Credit.” incentive to businesses to hire owners where premiums on The CFIB report reflects these students in need would EI rates would be slashed strong support of one of the positively affect the future of has struck controversy in the newest government election these students. Employment services field. promises: giving a 12-month The retraction of this The Canadian Federation of break on employer premiums incentive has dumbfounded Independent Businesses (CFIB) for all small businesses who many high officials - such as has submitted a report in light hire employees between the those CFIB - but the people of the upcoming Employment ages of 18 and 24 in the years who should really worry about Insurance review addressing 2016-2018. However, CFIB - trying to get it back in motion the concerns of small businesses along with many small business are university students who and offering guidance to owners - were disappointed would greatly benefit from this policymakers as they consider when the government retracted incentive passing. Not only major changes to the system. this incentive in the 2016 budget would it give small businesses “Small businesses tell us cut. the motivation to hire that payroll taxes, like EI, are But what could this mean university students, it would their number one concern, and to possible employees who also encourage them to train that even a small increase in EI could’ve benefitted from this those employees thoroughly, Yo ung people may find it harder to find work after the premiums would come at the incentive? giving those employees a better government took back its promise to help small business worst possible time, particularly The target age group of the chance at finding jobs in the owners pay EI premiums to youth workers. (Photo Courtesy given plans to increase CPP,” incentive are typically the ages future. of Pexels) September 22, 2016 • the reflector 3 Protest at MRU’s new conservatory Outraged conservatory students protest over loss of instructors Amber McLinden found out our tuition was a long term instructor in the Staff Writer raised $1,000 a week ago. gifted youth program. Her We’ve been asking questions speech centered on providing “Respect music, respect without response. We’ve sent facts that are contrary to Dean students, respect teachers.” emails to Dean Webber, we’ve Webber’s statements. The first chant of the protest sent emails to the board of While Webber alluded to expressed the frustrations governors, we’ve sent emails to tough economic times, Danicic many students, faculty, and President Docherty, all without says that “the program receives supporters have with the any response.” $100,000 yearly through a Mount Royal University Dean Charles Webber, who separate external donation.” Conservatory. The anger stems seems to be at the center of the The speech continues to say from the termination of two of dismissals, announced that that Webber carefully planned the conservatory’s teachers- the contracts were terminated and considered the contract John Kadz and Bill Van Der on Sept. 1, leaving students renewal over the course of 18 Sloot. confused as to why Kadz and months, but neither students “It all happened when Van Der Sloot were still being nor the terminated individuals advertised as part of the faculty were notified until early we were notified about our Students protest outside of the Bella Concert Hall. (Photo by on the conservatory’s website. September. teachers dismissal only two Amber McLinden) weeks ago.” Andrew Park, a The protest, which took “We really do feel bad about place at noon on Thursday, the timing of the cuts, it’s student of the conservatory, An online petition started to an audit of the continuing began with speeches including really difficult for students and explains how the protest began. raise awareness of the contract education department to see one from Aleksandra Danicic, parents in that kind of setting.” “It happened when we terminations has drawn where funds are being moved, Webber says. national and international and an open discussion to take “There’s really no good time attention, with people place between faculty and in the academic year to do commenting globally. students who believe their that, so there’s advantages and “This decision by MRU questions haven’t truly been disadvantages, and there’s all is shocking and extremely answered. kinds of things you have to do disappointing. Bill and “If this is how MRU treats to line up that kind of decision, John were responsible for our long-term, high achieving, and that’s the timing that had inspiring a generation of respected faculty, how much to work for us this year.” instrumentalists all over the individual concern can there Yet students weren’t satisfied, world,” a comment from Nikki be for all faculty and students?” and Park even approached Chooi, Concertmaster at the said Danicic to the crowd. President David Docherty Metropolitan Opera in New “They have been pawns in the hall, asking about the York City, reads. caught in a web of shocking and emails that were sent to him “Please reinstate both Bill so far, unexplained decisions. about the issue. and John to their respective MRU continues to hide behind Docherty replied that he duties - they are the pillars the excuse of confidentiality. “forwarded the message to of [MRU] and it would be a This is an unacceptable another representative of the huge loss to not reverse this excuse.” university, and that he would decision.” not weigh in on one teacher’s The protest comes with contract.” Staff and Students came together in solidarity to demands, says Park, including save the music programs at MRU.