Saskatchewan soon to hit minimum wage target of $15 an hour
After years of incremental increases, the Saskatchewan government is soon to reach its minimum wage target of $15 an hour, up from the current $14.
Since 2007, Saskatchewan has seen its minimum wage increase by 89 per cent. However, compared to the rest of Canada, the province remains tied with Alberta for the lowest minimum wage in the country.
"There are winners and losers from any kind of price floor," economist Marc Law said. "On one hand, if you manage to keep your job, you get a higher pay, which is probably good for you. Obviously, employers have to pay more for a given number of workers."
University students constitute a large portion of minimum wage workers, and for them, any increase is a welcome one.
"Students always welcome minimum wage as it helps support us as students. A lot of students work minimum wage jobs, whether it's waiting tables or at Tim Hortons," said Krunal Chavda, president of the University of Saskatchewan Student Union.
Despite the increase, the rising cost of tuition and inflated living expenses mean that many students still find it insufficient.
"With the cost of groceries and rent, it's not enough. I think it's a good step they're increasing minimum wage, but it's not enough," said Daly Haas, a student at the University of Saskatchewan.
The Saskatoon Chamber of Commerce raises concerns about how minimum wage hikes disproportionately affect small businesses and could lead to increased prices, or decreased hours.
"Always keep in mind the effects on small and medium-size businesses. The effects can be quite large, and if they're unable to absorb some of these costs, we're going to see some tough decisions being made," the government relations officer with the chamber, Margot Orr said.
The changes are set to take place on October 1.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
WATCH LIVE Police arrest Toronto woman in connection with three recent homicides
Police have arrested a Toronto woman in connection with three recent homicides and investigators say that they believe two of the victims may have been 'randomly targeted.'
NDP house leader says House dysfunction will be a factor in future confidence votes
NDP House leader Peter Julian says there's more his party wants to do in Parliament before the next election, but if the current dysfunction continues it will become a factor in how they vote on a confidence measure.
Former Colorado county clerk Tina Peters sentenced to 9 years for voting data scheme
A judge ripped into a Colorado county clerk for her crimes and lies before sentencing her Thursday to nine years behind bars for a data-breach scheme spawned from the rampant false claims about voting machine fraud in the 2020 presidential race.
Youth pleads guilty to manslaughter in death of P.E.I. teen Tyson MacDonald
A teen charged with the murder of another teen on Prince Edward Island last year has pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of manslaughter.
BREAKING Jury begins deliberations in Jacob Hoggard's sexual assault trial
The jury tasked with determining if Canadian musician Jacob Hoggard sexually assaulted a young woman in northeastern Ontario eight years ago began deliberating Friday after nearly two weeks of testimony that saw the singer and his accuser give starkly different accounts of what happened.
BREAKING Here's what the jury didn't hear in Jacob Hoggard's sexual assault trial
A northeastern Ontario jury has started deliberating in Canadian musician Jacob Hoggard's sexual assault trial, we can now tell you what they weren't allowed to hear.
Canadian family stuck in Lebanon anxiously awaits flight options amid Israeli strikes
A Canadian man who is trapped in Lebanon with his family says they are anxiously waiting for seats on a flight out of the country, as a barrage of Israeli airstrikes continues.
Yazidi woman captured by ISIS rescued in Gaza after more than a decade in captivity
A 21-year-old Yazidi woman has been rescued from Gaza where she had been held captive by Hamas for years after being trafficked by ISIS.
Airlines' challenge of Canada's passenger protection rules rejected by Supreme Court
Canada's airlines have failed in their challenge of air passenger protection rules that the federal government implemented in 2019.