Alberta's minimum wage jumps to $12.20 per hour

CTV National News: Minimum wage increase Canadians in three provinces can expect a boost if they're making minimum wage. Glen McGregor has the impact.

Low-income workers in several provinces got a raise on Saturday as the governments of Alberta, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, and Saskatchewan hiked their minimum wage.

Alberta saw the biggest boost when the clock struck midnight. The province's minimum wage rose nearly nine per cent to $12.20 per hour, the highest wage among the provinces. Only Northwest Territories and Nunavut have higher minimum wages at $12.50 and $13 respectively.

Alberta also got rid of its lower wage for workers who serve liquor. The Alberta Government says the changes will impact approximately 300,000 workers. The province has plans to hike its minimum wage to $15 per hour by 2018.

That extra weight in the wallet follows renewed signs of economic strength in Alberta over the summer. Real GDP jumped 0.5 per cent in July, building on a 0.6 per cent hike in June, according to Statistics Canada. Those gains were largely the result of the energy sector resuming activity after the devastating wildfires crippled the province’s oil sands regions between May and June.

“Increasing minimum wage means fewer families have to visit the food bank to make ends meet,” said Alberta Labour Minister Christina Gray, in a press release Wednesday. “Albertans who see their wage increase will have more money to spend in the local economy on necessities like rent and groceries.”

However, critics say the hikes are too much too fast for an economy still grappling with the now two-year long downturn in energy prices. The move has been criticized by groups representing small businesses, who say forcing wages higher will restrict their ability to bring on new staff and cause many to raise their prices.

The Canadian Federation of Independent Business warns that raising wages could jeopardize as many as 50,000 jobs, especially in sectors where minimum wage is the norm, such as retail and hospitality.

Meanwhile, other provinces have also raised their minimum wages.

Ontario increased its minimum wage by a more modest 1.33 per cent from $11.25 to $11.40 per hour – marking the third consecutive annual increase by the Liberal government. The province’s wage for liquor servers also increased from $9.80 to $9.90 per hour.

The minimum wage in Prince Edward Island jumped $11 per hour from $10.75, the highest in Atlantic Canada, though there are no current plans for further minimum wage increases in that province.

Workers in Saskatchewan will now get paid a minimum of $10.72 per hour, up from $10.50. The increase will impact around 23,000 workers in Saskatchewan. This is the eighth minimum wage increase since 2007.

Minimum wage by province/territory

British Columbia: $10.85 per hour

According to the Retail Council of Canada, B.C.’s minimum wage is expected to rise another 40 cents, to $11.25 per hour, on Sept. 15, 2017.

Manitoba: $11 per hour

The province’s recently elected Progressive Conservative government has decided to keep the hourly minimum rate at $11, after years of steady increases under the previous NDP government.

New Brunswick: $10.65 per hour

The provincial government says it will raise the minimum wage to $11 per hour at some point in 2017. After that, New Brunswick’s minimum wage will be adjusted each year according the Consumer Price Index.

Newfoundland and Labrador: $10.50 per hour

As of Oct. 1, Newfoundland and Labrador has the lowest minimum wage in the country. The province’s minimum wage has seen an increase of only 50 cents since 2010.

Northwest Territories: $12.50 per hour

The are no current regulations that determine how often the territory’s minimum wage must be adjusted.

Nova Scotia: $10.70 per hour

Nova Scotia’s minimum wage is adjusted on April 1 of each year according to the Consumer Price Index.

Nunavut: $13 per hour

Nunavut’s minimum wage is adjusted on April 1 of each year.

Ontario: $11.40 per hour

The province’s minimum wage rose 15 cents on October 1 from $11.25 to $11.40 per hour.

Prince Edward Island: $11 per hour

The P.E.I. government raised the minimum wage to $11 per hour on Oct. 1, an increase of 25 cents.

Quebec: $10.75 per hour

The province’s Liberal government confirmed last month that it will not hold consultations on a wage hike to $15 per hour as proposed by groups supporting Fight for 15, a labour rights campaign advocating for a $15-per-hour minimum wage.

Saskatchewan: $10.72 per hour

Saskatchewan’s minimum wage jumped to $10.72 per hour from $10.50 on Oct.1. The province’s minimum wage is adjusted every Oct. 1 to reflect the Consumer Price Index and Average Hourly Wage.

Yukon: $11.07 per hour

The territory’s minimum wage is adjusted on April 1 of each year according to the Consumer Price Index.