Minimum wage increases are important, but workers deserve more
Minimum wage increases are important, but workers deserve more
September 10, 2024
Andrew Stevens
Associate Professor, Faculty of Business Administration, University of Regina
By Andrew Stevens
This fall, several provinces across Canada are scheduled to increase their minimum wages. These provincial adjustments follow the federal government’s decision to raise the federal minimum wage to $17.30 back in April.
On Oct. 1, Ontario, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Prince Edward Island will all see new minimum wage rates come into effect, while the Northwest Territories raised its minimum wage on Sept. 1. Relatively substantial increases were also announced by most of these governments during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Saskatchewan’s decision to index its minimum wage to inflation in 2014 was a step in the right direction for workers. The Saskatchewan government announced it would raise its minimum wage to $15 as of Oct. 1, although several exemptions apply and it will still possess one of the lowest rates in Canada.
After decades of inflation and wage stagnation have eroded wages for workers, the upcoming wage hikes represent progress. But workers certainly deserve more than that.
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