I think the most interesting part of this announcement is that minimum wage will be indexed to changes in the average weekly wage. It sounds like the minimum wage could be reduced in any given year the average weekly wage goes down. It would be interesting to see how that plays out.
Minimum wage will increase to $8 per hour on September 1
Edmonton
… Alberta’s minimum wage will increase from $7 to $8 per hour on September 1, 2007, to reflect the latest economic indicators.
“This increase to Alberta’s minimum wage is good news for Albertans,” said Premier Ed Stelmach. “With an increase to $8, Alberta’s minimum wage will be the highest in Canada after taxes.”
“Minimum wage offers protection for workers,” said Iris Evans, Minister of Employment, Immigration and Industry. “It sets the minimum rate of pay that employers must meet and ensures that workers, especially women and youth, who traditionally are in the lower income occupations, are making a better wage. This will help recruit and retain new employees in Alberta’s labour force.”
With Alberta’s vibrant economy and low unemployment, most employers are already paying more than minimum wage. Three per cent of Alberta’s workforce, about 41,000 people, currently earn less than $8 per hour.
Future minimum wage changes will occur on April 1 of each year
, and will be indexed to changes in the average weekly wage. Indexing minimum wage to the average weekly wage will reflect the actual wage changes that occurred the year before.
Providing a fair and balanced wage is a key action under Premier Ed Stelmach’s plan to manage growth pressures and improve Albertans’ quality of life. Other priorities for the government are to govern with integrity and transparency, build a stronger Alberta and provide safe and secure communities.
2 responses so far ↓
Jean // Jul 16, 2007 at 12:23 pm
I was just wondering how that effects us who are already currently employed? Does the Alberta government require that everyone who is currently employed obtain a rasie of that dollar? How does that make it fair to those people who have worked somewhere for years and make less or as much as someone who has just gotten a job there within 3 years, per say.
Ian McKenzie // Jul 16, 2007 at 12:33 pm
The only obligation employers will have to raise pay will be for those employees who are below the new minimum wage. If you’re in the range between $7 and $8 per hour, your rate will have to be raised to at least $8.00. How employers deal with the effect of the increase on other employees is up to each employer.
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