The Impact of the Ontarian Minimum Wage on the Unemployment of Women and the Young in Ontario: A Note

A recent study presents regression results that can be used to calculate the impact on the unemployment rate of women and youth in Ontario of a variation in the minimum wage. These regressions yield results very similar to those obtained for Quebec, an economy whose structure is fairly similar to that of Ontario. These results indicate that the proposed increase in the minimum wage in Ontario would lead to a one-percentage-point increase in the unemployment of women and youth in the province, which in terms of the unemployment rate of 1991, is approximately a 10% increase in employment. Such a result is in agreement with economists and should be taken into account by policymakers.