The Honourable Bernard Davis, Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Minister Responsible for Labour, today announced the establishment of a five-member Minimum Wage Review Committee.
Members of the Committee are:
- Lori Anne Companion, Chairperson
- Edwina Bateman, Employer Representative
- AnnMarie Boudreau, Employer Representative
- David Burke, Employee Representative
- Mark Nichols, Employee Representative
The purpose of the committee will be to review input solicited from targeted stakeholders on the minimum wage and to report to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change with a cohesive set of observations and findings and provide non-binding recommendations on the current adjustment process for setting the minimum wage and the wage rate. The Committee’s work will begin immediately and they will provide a report to the minister by April 30, 2022.
Biographical information for members of the Committee can be found in the backgrounder below.
There are approximately 11,500 minimum wage earners in the province: 60.7 per cent are female and 39.3 per cent are male; 46.4per cent of minimum wage earners work full-time and 52.7 per cent work part-time; 56.5 per cent of minimum wage earners are between the ages of 15 and 24.
A complete profile of minimum wage workers in the province can be found here.
Quote
“Our government understands the importance of the minimum wage rate to minimum wage earners in this province. By establishing an independent review committee, which includes individuals who have first hand, lived experience with the minimum wage from both an employer and employee perspective, we are providing another outlet to examine and address the minimum wage rate in Newfoundland and Labrador. I look forward to hearing about the Committee’s progress and receiving their recommendations.”
Honourable Bernard Davis
Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Minister Responsible for Labour
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Lynn Robinson
Environment and Climate Change
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lynnrobinson@gov.nl.ca
BACKGROUNDER
Biographical Information for Members of the Minimum Wage Review Committee
Lori Anne Companion, Chairperson
Lori Anne Companion is a retired Government of Newfoundland and Labrador Deputy Minister with 20 years executive experience in both social and economic policy issues including child protection, income and employment support, immigration, transportation and infrastructure, fisheries, agriculture and forestry matters, as well as central government decision making and policy support. She was a member of the provincial public service since 1986 and engaged in public policy development since that time. Ms. Companion received a Bachelor of Science Degree in mathematics and statistics from Memorial University, and has completed Memorial’s Executive Development Program.
Edwina Bateman, Employer Representative
Edwina Bateman is the independent owner/operator of AVAIL HR Training Solutions. Some of her education/certificates/designations include an MBA, Human Resources Management from the California Coast University; Bachelor of Business Administration, Cape Breton University; Risk Management Certificate, University of Toronto; and, a certified Leadership/DiSC Trainer. Current positions with organizations beyond her employment are the Leading Edge Credit Union, Board Director Executive Committee; Port aux Basques and Area Chamber of Commerce, Board Member Executive Committee; and, St. James’ Church Board. She served on the Board of the Western Health Care Corporation, the Western Health Community Advisory Committee, and is Past President of the LeGrow Health Centre Foundation. Throughout her career, Ms. Bateman committed to a high standard of human resources management that has contributed significantly to maximizing organizational productivity, while playing a key role in ensuring the attainment of bottom-line objectives. She is passionate about making a positive difference for individuals and organizations.
AnnMarie Boudreau, Employer Representative
As CEO of the St. John’s Board of Trade, AnnMarie Boudreau is dedicated to working alongside the team and Board of Directors to provide guidance, support, and solutions to members. Throughout her career, she has worked with the region’s largest and often most complex organizations to help shape their vision, build meaningful relationships, establish connections with stakeholders, and achieve their business objectives. She channels her depth of experience in strategic marketing and communications into her role as CEO and comes to work every day focused on helping to ensure businesses in our city can grow, evolve, and thrive. Before joining the Board of Trade, Ms. Boudreau held senior management roles in multiple organizations, including spending 15 years as a strategic marketing communications consultant for NATIONAL, the largest public relations firm in Canada. She led and managed the firm’s St. John’s office for four years, providing strategic business and communications counsel to clients across a variety of sectors and industries. Outside of her work, Ms. Boudreau is proud to be the mom of two wonderful kids and spends many of her days cheering them on at their many sport and recreation activities.
David Burke, Employee Representative
David Burke has been extremely involved in his union, Unifor, since his days as a grocery store cashier in high school. Currently, he serves as Vice President of Unifor Local 597 in St. John’s. He is a member of the regional and national Young Workers’ Committees for Unifor. Mr. Burke is an active member of his community, volunteering to support union functions and community events. He is a past Affiliate Vice President with the Newfoundland and Labrador Federation of Labour.
Mark Nichols, Employee Representative
Mark Nichols is a local anti-poverty activist, former community organizer for the $15 and Fairness Newfoundland and Labrador campaign, and former co-chair of the Social Justice Co-operative of Newfoundland and Labrador. He served in the Canadian Forces for twenty years and as a parish priest of the Anglican Diocese of Eastern Newfoundland and Labrador for fifteen years. Both in his parish ministry and social justice work he has advocated on behalf of low-wage earners and those living in poverty. Mr. Nichols also has lived experience of childhood poverty and minimum wage work as an adult.