At current level, minimum wages barley cover the rent.  How do people  find additional funds to pay for food, transportation, clothing, medical expenses and so on. They take on additional job. So basically working to live and that is not very healthy. I am sure business can afford $2 increase for sure. $2 increase, translates to the cost of of a coffee. Basically each server has to sell  an additional coffee every hour or one extra large pizza for the whole shift. Is that going to shut the business down? It is long over due. Please note, Australia's minimum wage is far higher than Canada's minimum wages.