Saskatchewan’s minimum wage will rise to $15 per hour on October 1, matching Alberta for the lowest minimum wage in Canada. This marks the final step in a series of increases promised by the provincial government in 2022, which saw wages rise from $11.81 to $13 that year, with $1 increments each year since.
While some see the increase as progress, others argue it's insufficient given the rising cost of living. Kent Peterson, secretary-treasurer at the Saskatchewan Federation of Labour, criticized the wage hike as "too little, too late." He highlighted the growing financial pressures on workers, including higher rent, groceries, mortgages, gas bills, and taxes, which he says outpace the wage increases.
Labour Relations and Workplace Safety Minister Don McMorris defended the raise, calling it part of the government’s broader strategy to support workers. “Saskatchewan also continues to have among the lowest personal taxes in Canada, which makes it a great place to live, work, and raise a family,” McMorris said in a news release.
Brianna Solberg, director of provincial affairs at the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB), expressed appreciation for the incremental wage hikes, saying they provide business owners with stability and predictability to manage costs. However, she noted the challenge for businesses to absorb these costs without passing them onto consumers, contributing to a "bit of an inflationary cycle."
Peterson disagreed with the notion that wage increases harm small businesses, saying it's primarily large multinational corporations, such as Walmart, McDonald's, and Cineplex, that pay minimum wage and can afford to pay more. “These corporations have the means to increase wages but choose not to,” Peterson said.
The debate continues as Saskatchewan’s minimum wage earners prepare for the upcoming increase, with many wondering if it will be enough to keep up with the province’s growing cost of living.