The Minister of Advanced Education, Skills and Labour says he has full confidence in the Minimum Wage Review Committee.

Steve Tessier was named the independent chair of the committee, with business owner Brenda O’Reilly and labour representative Allison Doyle making up the committee.

Concerns were raised around Tessier’s ties to the Liberal party, and just how independent the committee is.

Chris Mitchelmore says not to worry. He says Tessier is very qualified to serve as the independent chair as he has served as a mayor, deputy mayor, councillor, served on provincial and national boards. Mitchelmore says he is more than qualified to serve the role.

He says it is important to have balance between employers and employees on the committee.

Mitchelmore is encouraging everyone to go to EngageNL.ca and put forward their views on the minimum wage rate, which will feed into the committee’s work.

Meanwhile, the NDP’s Jordan Brown feels a more “independent” person could’ve been selected for the role. He says he doesn’t feel a member of the Liberal Party executive is considered independent.

Brown says a more independent person who can weigh the pros and cons of the situation and separate themselves from the business world and labour world. He says it effects a lot of people who daily face poverty.

He says with the current structure, minimum wage won’t reach $15 per hour until at least 2030, something the NDP has been advocating for.

Brown says that is very concerning and the current way minimum wage is indexed is unfortunate.

He says it will be between 10-12 years before we reach a $15 minimum wage and in that time the world is going to change significantly. The world is evolving and Brown says we need to be ready so that we keep people out of poverty, rather than in poverty, like he says is being done.