Alberta to have the lowest minimum wage in Canada as of Oct. 1 as NDP calls for boost

Leader of the Alberta NDP Naheed Nenshi speaks to media about the Alberta 2025 budget in Edmonton, on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson

EDMONTON — The province of Alberta, once a national leader in minimum wage, is set to soon have the lowest such pay rate in Canada.

The current rate of $15 an hour was set in 2018 by then-premier Rachel Notley's NDP government, making it the highest minimum wage in Canada. But Alberta has not adjusted the rate since, while other provinces have boosted theirs.

On Oct. 1, Saskatchewan is set to increase its minimum wage to $15.35 an hour from $15, a move that will officially make Alberta’s rate the lowest in Canada.

Alberta Opposition NDP Leader Naheed Nenshi said Albertans coping with high costs need help.

He is urging Smith’s United Conservative government to boost the minimum wage and index it to inflation.

“We know that people, particularly lower income people, are not able to make ends meet, and it's time to take some real action," he said Monday.

When pressed for an ideal minimum wage, Nenshi said it’s the job of the government to consult with workers and employers and come up with a plan.

Statistics Canada data shows Alberta's annual consumer price index, which tracks price changes for a fixed basket of goods and services, rose by about 20 per cent between 2018 and 2024.

Economy Minister Joseph Schow said in a statement the majority of minimum wage earners are 24 years old or younger, meaning most are in their first job or the early stages of entering the workforce.

"When it comes to minimum wage, we are balancing workforce needs while also ensuring businesses are not forced to raise costs or be unable to pay their employees, putting entry-level jobs at risk," said Schow.

"The fact is Alberta remains one of the most affordable places to call home with lower cost of living, more affordable housing options, along with lower taxes that keep more money in the pockets of Albertans."

Nenshi said if the minimum wage were tied to inflation in the long term, the province would avoid the shock of a large increase.

"The UCP, through their inaction, led us to a situation where they're going to have to do a step increase in the minimum wage — which businesses have not budgeted for," he said.

“We do not believe — and a lot of economists would agree with me — that keeping the minimum wage this artificially low is actually having any impact whatsoever on increasing jobs."

Nenshi pointed out that Alberta has the country's highest unemployment rate outside of Newfoundland and Labrador.

"Clearly, their idea of paying people poorly to create jobs isn't working."

A separate minimum wage for students under 18 has been set at $13 an hour since 2019.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 22, 2025.

Lisa Johnson, The Canadian Press