With federal minimum wage rising, will Alberta follow? Nope
The federal minimum wage is increasing to $17.30 per hour from $16.65.
However, Alberta’s $15 per hour, soon to be the third-lowest in the country behind Saskatchewan at $14 per hour, will not change.
“We understand the inflationary pressures many Albertans are experiencing right now,” read a statement from jobs minister Matt Jones’ office.
“We also recognize the significant impacts of potential changes to the minimum wage, including to workers, small businesses and costs which are ultimately flowed through to all Albertans. Alberta’s government is constantly and carefully evaluating the appropriateness of the current minimum wage.”
Alberta last increased the minimum wage on Oct 1, 2018, and it has been frozen ever since.
In 2023, in Alberta, 126,000 employees earned minimum wage.
The statement adds that Albertans keep more money in their pockets due to low provincial income tax and no sales taxes.
FEDERAL CHANGE IMPACTS 30K EMPLOYEES
The federal change will impact about 30,000 employees in the federally-regulated private sector.
Should the provincial or territorial minimum wage rate exceed the federal rate, employers must pay the higher of the two.
"Everyone's feeling the pinch of inflation, so wages must keep up with the cost of living," said Seamus O'Regan, Minister of Labour and Seniors.
Meaghon Reid, executive director of Vibrant Communities Calgary says 85 per cent of people on minimum wage in Calgary are adults, with 38 per cent kids under the age of 18.
“So the people making minimum wage, we're talking about families, people who are striving to own a home or home owners,” she said.
Reid adds that for someone to consider earning a modest wage in Calgary and not stress paying the bills, they must make at least $23.60 per hour as a living wage.
“This is not people who are living a lavish lifestyle,” said Reid.
“This is how we've calculated it, so that you can live a modest standard of living so that you can get a Netflix account or a parkpass but not really take a lavish vacation.”
The Government of Canada introduced the federal minimum wage in 2021.
As of Apr 1, 2024, Newfoundland and Labrador will increase its minimum to $15.60 per hour, Yukon will see an increase to $17.59 per hour.
P.E.I will rise to $16 per hour later this year, Quebec will bump up to $15.75 per hour in May and B.C. will rise to $17.40 come June 1.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Spectacular aurora light show to be seen across Canada Friday night
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
Town of Fort Nelson, B.C., ordered to evacuate due to wildfire
The entire town of Fort Nelson, B.C., as well as the nearby Fort Nelson First Nation, has been ordered to evacuate due to an out-of-control wildfire.
Bouchard lifts Edmonton Oilers to 4-3 overtime win over Canucks in Game 2
Evan Bouchard scored 5:38 into overtime and the Edmonton Oilers bounced back for a 4-3 win over the Vancouver Canucks in the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs on Friday.
McGill University seeks emergency injunction to dismantle pro-Palestinian encampment
McGill University has filed a request for an injunction to have the pro-Palestinian encampment removed from its campus.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
Video shows naked raccoon catching B.C. family by surprise
When Marvin Henschel spotted a strange and hairless creature wandering through a front lawn in B.C.'s Lower Mainland, he could barely believe his eyes.
Barron Trump declines to serve as an RNC delegate
Former U.S. President Donald Trump's youngest son, Barron Trump, has declined to serve as a delegate at this summer’s Republican National Convention, according to a senior Trump campaign adviser and a statement from Melania Trump's office.
Out-of-control wildfire prompts evacuation alert for Fort McMurray, Saprae Creek Estates Friday night
An evacuation alert was issued for two Wood Buffalo communities Friday night, as crews battled an out-of-control wildfire near Fort McMurray.