On Thursday June 30th, the Provincial Government announced that Alberta’s general minimum wage will rise $1.00 to $12.20 per hour and the current liquor server rate will be removed, effective October 1. Weekly and monthly minimum wages used by certain professions will rise to $486 and $2,316, respectively, at the same time.
Further to that, minimum wage will rise a further $1.40, to $13.60 per hour, on October 1, 2017, and by $1.40, to $15 per hour, on October 1, 2018. Weekly and monthly rates will rise by equivalent amounts.
Christina Gray, Minister of Alberta Labour said, “Albertans who work full time should be able to live with dignity, and that means being able to afford rent, food and transportation for their families. This plan for Alberta’s minimum wage provides long-term certainty to employers and workers.”
I spoke with a couple local business owners in the City of Chestermere about this increase to the minimum wage. Although neither wished to be named in the article, both commented that a change of this magnitude would hurt their business.
“Don’t get me wrong, I would love pay all my staff these wages, but changes like this put me in a position to have to cut some of my part time staff in order to respectfully pay my full time staff as I just can’t afford to pay part time employees that amount”, said one local retailer.
However, in the Provinces release on the subject, they seem to have the support of some.
“We support the Alberta government’s plan of phased increases to the minimum wage. Increasing the minimum wage in Alberta will improve the lives of women and children fleeing violence. Women make up the majority of Albertans supporting their families on minimum wage, and starting over often means accepting low-wage employment.”, said Jan Reimer, Executive Director, Alberta Council of Women’s Shelters.
Some interesting statistics of the current employment wages in Alberta show that:
• Almost 300,000 Albertans earn less than $15 per hour
• The vast majority (222,900) are not students
• 78 per cent are permanent employees
• 62 per cent are women
• 38 per cent are families with children
Sue Tomney, Chief Executive Officer of the YWCA of Calgary explains, “Low incomes trap women in circumstances that are unsafe and in which they have few options. As a large employer and an organization committed to supporting women who are vulnerable, we support the $15-by-2018 commitment. It reflects our belief that an adequate income is critical for women to live with dignity and maintain their well-being.”
With these minimum wage increases, this will put Alberta in the first place position in all of Canada.
