Saskatchewan Minimum Wage to See 36 Cents Increase | The Canadian News

The minimum wage in Saskatchewan is projected to increase in less than a week.

The amount will increase from $ 11.45 to $ 11.81, an increase of 36 cents.

Saskatchewan currently offers the lowest minimum wage in the country, right next to Manitoba at $ 11.90 an hour.

British Columbia offers the highest salary among the provinces at $ 15.20.

The dubious distinction of being the lowest paying province in the country will continue even with the pending increase.

“Of course we’re disappointed once again when we see these small increases, I think it’s like less than $ 15 a week,” said Saskatchewan Federation of Labor President Lori Johb.

Johb is also concerned about front-line staff who have minimum-wage jobs.

“They are risking everything, they are risking their health and safety, they are risking their families and they are not really recognized. I think they deserve better, ”he said.

Mortise and Tenon, Regina’s local business, starts working with its employees at $ 15 an hour, and one of the store’s owners, Eric Oleson, says the minimum wage in Saskatchewan is too low.

“I think it was in 2016 that they said a living wage in Saskatchewan would actually be $ 17.75, and that’s obviously where we’d like to go. Obviously, that number has increased since that study was conducted, but yes, I think that the minimum wage should be a living wage, “he said.

Memories Dining Room also pays its staff above minimum wage, but owner Thomas Siarko says the service industry is already struggling financially due to the pandemic, and even this 36-cent increase will affect some local restaurants.

“Right now, that small increase for some of them who pay minimum wage to their people will be a little hard to swallow,” he said.

The minimum wage increase will take effect on October 1.