The Saskatchewan government will raise the minimum wage to $ 13 an hour in October and says it will raise it to $ 15 in 2024.
On Monday, Prime Minister Scott Moe announced in the period of questions that the provincial government is considering raising the minimum wage based on the market and said the increase would be “significant”.
Saskatchewan has the lowest minimum wage in Canada – $ 11.81 per hour.
On Tuesday, the government announced that the minimum wage would increase over the next three years. This October it will go to $ 13, in October 2023 it will go to $ 14 and in October 2024 it will reach $ 15.
The province says it has a formula based on the inflation rate, which dictates how much the salary increases annually. Moe said Monday that Saskatchewan would return to the following formula after the campaign.
Prior to the last increase in October, the minimum wage was $ 11.45. The minimum wage in Alberta is $ 15 from 2018.
When the increase takes effect, Saskatchewan will have the second lowest minimum wage. Manitoba will reach $ 12.35 in October. The hourly wage in New Brunswick will increase from $ 12.75 to $ 13.75 in October.
“World events continue to put pressure on the cost of living in Saskatchewan and across Canada,” Labor and Workplace Safety Minister Don Morgan said in a press release.
“Our government is committed to ensuring that life is affordable for our low-income residents by raising the minimum wage over the next three years. This commitment to accessibility will support workers in Saskatchewan and ensure that Saskatchewan is the best place to live, work and raise a family. “
The opposition and working groups have been advocating for a minimum salary of $ 15 in the province for some time.
On Monday, NDP MLA Nicole Sarauer said the timing of the announcement was unusual, with stakeholders such as the Saskatchewan Labor Federation receiving no warning that it was coming.
The government statement said the increase was moving away from the formula for the next three years to “reflect the move towards closer alignment of workers’ wages with changing market forces”.
“As we continue to develop Saskatchewan, we want to attract quality investment and jobs so that all citizens can benefit. “This change in the minimum wage is a step in that direction,” Morgan said.
Minister for Labor Relations and Occupational Safety Don Morgan said wage increases have been gradual over time to give businesses time to adapt. (CBC)
Long Paths: President of the SFL
The Saskatchewan Labor Federation (SFL), which represents more than 100,000 employees, said it welcomed the news of the pay rise, but called for a minimum wage of $ 15 an hour immediately and increase from there. Unifor, Canada’s largest private sector union, and the opposition NDP have reiterated their call.
“This is a start. And I think it will help people who work and earn a minimum wage. We have a long way to go,” said SFL President Lori Job.
In two years, the minimum wage should be $ 20 an hour, Job said.
“We have exceeded the minimum wage of $ 15 an hour, which actually means a living wage,” said Jennifer Bose, an NDP contributor.
Minister Morgan said wage increases were being made gradually to give businesses time to adjust. He estimates that 45,000 workers will be affected by the change.
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