Saskatchewan’s minimum wage will increase by 36 cents an hour as of October 1st. Labour Relations and Workplace Safety Minister says the current minimum wage is $11.45 and it will increase to $11.81. Right now Saskatchewan has the lowest minimum wage in the country and the announced increase, coming in over three months time, still won’t bring this province’s minimum wage as high as our neighbour to the east. In Manitoba minimum wage earners currently make $11.90 per hour. Alberta’s minimum wage is $15.00 per hour.
Don Morgan notes that dealing with COVID-19 over the past year and a half has been a difficult time for everyone, and says as life returns to normal, sustainable and predictable increases help to ensure that everyone can benefit from a strong and growing Saskatchewan future.
The Leader of the Official Opposition says the SaskParty’s announcement of a 36 cent increase to the minimum wage in October is abysmal. Ryan Meili calls it an insult to front-line workers who have sacrificed so much over the course of the pandemic. He adds that as of October 1st, with Saskatchewan’s minimum wage at $11.81, only New Brunswick’s will be lower. The Saskatchewan NDP continues to call for a $15 per hour minimum wage.
Saskatchewan’s minimum wage is reviewed annually and is calculated using an indexation formula giving equal weight to changes in the Consumer Price Index and the average hourly wage for this province.