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:
- An hourly minimum wage of $11.20 for most employees
- An hourly minimum wage of $10.70 for employees serving liquor as part of their regular job (note the liquor server rate will be eliminated in 2016)
- A weekly minimum wage of $446 for many salespersons, including land agents and certain professionals
- A monthly minimum wage of $2,127 for domestic employees
With files from CTV Calgary
