Alberta minimum wage increases Thursday

Alberta’s general minimum wage will increase to $11.20 from $10.20 per hour on October 1, 2015.

Minimum wage earners in Alberta will receive a pay hike on Thursday.

The general minimum wage is increasing by one dollar on October 1, in the provincial government’s plan to reach a $15 per hour minimum wage by 2018.

“Increasing minimum wages will help low-income earners take care of their families, and will reduce staff turnover, lower hiring costs, and improve fairness. Minimum wage earners spend more of their income, boosting the economy and creating jobs,” said Lori Sigurdson, Minister of Jobs, Skills, Training and Labour.

However, the Canadian Federation of Business says minimum wage increases do little to reduce poverty as most wage earners are young and live with family members.

The new rates take effect on October 1, 2015 as follows:

With files from CTV Calgary