Alberta’s minimum wage to be boosted
Posted Jun 1, 2011 8:07 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Alberta Employment Minister Thomas Lukaszuk is expected to announce the province will increase its minimum wage from $8.80 an hour to an even $9.00.
The hike likely won’t take effect until later in the summer or early fall, giving affected businesses time to adjust their budgets.
Scott Hennig with the Canadian Taxpayers Federation calls the announcement a public relations move by the government.
Hennig says only about one per cent of those working in Alberta are paid the minimum wage, adding that labour markets and not government really determines the wages and salaries people get.
The Canadian Federation of Independent Business is not happy about the hike, saying it will push up the operating costs of small business operators, which will then have to be passed onto consumers.
Even with the increase, Alberta’s minimum wage will still be among the lowest in the country, more than a dollar an hour behind Ontario.
