Alberta's minimum wage will increase from $8 to $8.40 per hour next month, Premier Ed Stelmach announced Tuesday, in an attempt to keep pace with other salary increases in the province.
"Alberta's experiencing a time of great prosperity," Stelmach said in a news release. "Wages have increased about five per cent and we're ensuring minimum wage earners are sharing in this growth."
The increase will come into effect April 1.
The move comes after the government announced last June it will increase minimum wage in accordance to the province's average weekly wage index.
About 70,000 or 3.5 per cent of working Albertans make minimum wage. The majority are 15 to 19 year olds working in the food service and hospitality industries.
With the increase, Alberta's minimum wage remains the highest in Canada after taxes. Before taxes, Alberta will have the third highest minimum wage among provinces, behind Ontario ($8.75) and Manitoba ($8.50).
