Sask. to have lowest minimum wage in Canada by April
Saskatchewan is on track to have the lowest minimum wage in Canada come April following a significant increase to New Brunswick’s wage earlier this week.
New Brunswick announced it would boost its minimum wage from $11.75 to $12.75, then up again in October to $13.75.
The Regina Anti-Poverty Ministry said through talking with people who are struggling financially, it’s clear that Saskatchewan’s $11.81 wage isn’t enough.
“We need to have a minimum wage that’s an actual living wage. The starting point that we’ve been calling for is 15 dollars an hour, but even 15 dollars an hour falls below what’s been calculated as a living wage,” Peter Gilmer, an advocate with the anti-poverty ministry, said.
Gilmer added the 15 dollar per hour mark does not take recent inflation rates into account.
“Recently, the cost of basic needs including food has been rising very rapidly,” he said. “[Saskatchewan] is consistently competing for the lowest minimum wage in the country and that does cause considerable hardship.”
Gilmer said low minimum wage ties into other poverty issues that are persistent in Saskatchewan.
“When we legislate a low minimum wage, when we legislate income assistance rates that don’t meet basic needs, we’re indexing poverty and we’re legislating poverty,” he said.
In addition to a higher minimum wage, Gilmer said adequate income assistance benefits and quality and affordable housing and child care options would all go a long way in terms of poverty reduction.
A significant increase to minimum wage isn’t welcomed by everyone.
The Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) said many small businesses in the province are still feeling the financial burden of COVID-19.
Kathleen Cook, a senior policy analyst with CFIB, said many small businesses already pay their employees more than minimum wage if they are able to. She said a lower tax burden from the province could be once way to help employers pay a higher wage.
“A significant jump like we saw in New Brunswick would just not be feasible for many small businesses, so I think it’s important for the Saskatchewan government to consult with the small business community before implementing any change,” Cook said.
The Government of Saskatchewan said each increase to the minimum wage is calculated based on its minimum wage formula which gives equal weight to the percentage change in the provincial Average Hourly Wage and the Consumer Price Index for the previous years as published by Statistics Canada.
“We’ve had, for the last decade, a highly predictable formula,” Don Morgan, minister of labour relations, said. “We’re in a challenging time in the nation and in our province. We’re coming out of COVID-19 and we don’t want to do anything that puts a damper on the viability of businesses that are trying to work, so it’s something we’re going to maintain the stability.”
The minimum wage increased by 36 cents on Oct. 1, 2021.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Half of Canadians have negative opinion of latest Liberal budget: poll
A new poll suggests the Liberals have not won over voters with their latest budget, though there is broad support for their plan to build millions of homes.
opinion Why you should protect your investments by naming a trusted contact person
Appointing a trusted person to help with financial obligations can give you peace of mind. In his personal finance column for CTVNews.ca, Christopher Liew outlines the key benefits of naming a confidant to take over your financial responsibilities, if the need ever arises.
NEW 'One of the single most terrifying things ever': Canadian couple among tourists on sinking sailing boat tour abroad
A Toronto couple are speaking out about their “extremely dangerous” experience on board a sinking tour boat in the Dominican Republic last week.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.
Ottawa injects another $36M into vaccine injury compensation fund
The federal government has added $36.4 million to a program designed to support people who have been seriously injured or killed by vaccines since the end of 2020.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
An Ontario senior called Geek Squad for help with his printer. Instead, he got scammed out of $25,000
An Ontario senior’s attempt to get technical help online led him into a spoofing scam where he lost $25,000. Now, he’s sharing his story to warn others.
Accused of burglary at stepmother's home, U.S. senator says she wanted her father's ashes: charges
A Minnesota state senator and former broadcast meteorologist told police that she broke into her stepmother's home because her stepmother refused to give her items of sentimental value from her late father, including his ashes, according to burglary charges filed Tuesday.
Twins from Toronto were Canada's top two female finishers at this year's Boston Marathon
When identical twin sisters Kim and Michelle Krezonoski were invited to compete against some of the world’s most elite female runners at last week’s Boston Marathon, they were in disbelief.