The minimum wage goes up in four Canadian province on Oct. 1, 2024. (Photo: Dreammediapeel | Dreamstime.com)

By David Opinko

Alberta now tied for lowest minimum wage in Canada

Oct 1, 2024 | 9:19 AM

Alberta had the highest minimum wage in the country six years ago, but it is now tied for the lowest.

That comes as four provinces increase their pay floors as of October 1, 2024.

The rate in Ontario is rising by 65 cents to $17.20 an hour, an increase tied to inflation.

In Manitoba, the rate is going up by 50 cents to $15.80, which also rises in accordance with an inflation-related formula.

In Prince Edward Island, the minimum wage is increasing by 60 cents to $16, which comes after a 40-cent hike earlier this year.

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Saskatchewan’s minimum wage goes up by one dollar to $15, putting it on a level playing field with Alberta.

The current minimum wages, as of October 1, 2024 and as outlined by the Retail Council of Canada, are as follows:

• Nunavut: $19/hour
• Yukon: $17.59/hour
• B.C.: $17.40/hour
• Ontario: $17.20/hour
• Northwest Territories: $16.70/hour
• P.E.I.: $16/hour
• Manitoba: $15.80/hour
• Quebec: $15.75/hour
• Newfoundland and Labrador: $15.60/hour
• New Brunswick: $15.30/hour
• Nova Scotia: $15.20/hour
• Alberta: $15/hour
• Saskatchewan: $15/hour

The former Alberta NDP government increased the minimum wage to $15 per hour on October 1, 2018, meaning the province’s lowest-paid workers were making more money than anywhere else in Canada at the time.

Shortly after the UCP came into power in 2019, it introduced the “job creation student wage,” which allowed businesses to pay Albertans under the age of 18 $13 per hour, assuming they are working no more than 28 hours per week when school is in session.

READ MORE: Alberta youth minimum wage goes into effect Wednesday

A 2023 report found that the prior increases to the minimum wage in Alberta resulted in a loss of approximately 23,000 jobs between 2015-2018 as companies were faced with higher labour costs.

When the report came out, the Minimum Wage Expert Panel recommended not making any changes to Alberta’s minimum wage structure.

Pattison Media has reached out to the Government of Alberta and Alberta NDP for comments.

READ MORE: Government indicates no plans to change minimum wage in Alberta