NDP lays out minimum wage increase timeline
Posted Jun 30, 2016 3:48 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Over the next three years, Alberta’s minimum wage will reach $15 beginning with an increase to $12.20 in October.
Labour Minister Christina Gray made the announcement Thursday, and while some groups like the Canadian Federation of Independent Business have criticized the 2015 campaign promise, Gray is standing firm.
“A higher minimum wage will put more money into the pockets of low income earners who can build their lives rather than just scraping by. We know that minimum wage earners are highly likely to spend more if they have a bit more, contributing back into the economy,” Gray said. .
The NDP plan to offset some of the costs to business owners by lowering the small businesses tax.
Critics think that’s not enough saying the provincial government needs to look at other ways to help minimum wage earners such as training opportunities and targeted tax relief.
