Article content continued

Mainstreet President Quito Maggi said Thursday he doubts the public is sufficiently aware of the plan’s details – specifically, that it will require higher premiums from workers.

“As awareness increases about what the realities of this proposal are, these numbers could move very easily in the disapproval camp.”

The new pension plan will require companies to pay premiums of 1.9 per cent of salary for each worker, up to $1,643 a year. Employees will pay an equal amount.

The plan will be phased in starting in 2017 for employers with 500 or more workers and no workplace pension. It will start for medium-sized businesses on Jan. 1, 2018. Those with 50 or fewer employees will be enrolled on Jan. 1, 2019.

Companies with defined contribution plans that equal at least eight per cent of an employee’s salary will be exempt from the plan, provided the employer contributes at least four per cent.

When Harper called the federal election earlier this month, Wynne publicly denounced him and threw her support behind Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau.

Since then, a war of words between Wynne and Harper has escalated.

In its poll, Mainstreet noted Wynne’s comments about who she supports and asked: “Do you approve or disapprove of Kathleen Wynne’s involvement in the federal election?”

The poll found 48 per cent disapprove of her involvement, while 42 per cent approve and 10 per cent are not sure.

In its survey, Mainstreet also asked which federal party people thought was best placed to help create jobs in Ontario’s flagging manufacturing sector.