Despite increase, Sask. minimum wage remains lowest in country — and some workers say it's not enough

Saskatchewan's minimum wage has gone up by a dollar to $15 an hour, but it will still be the lowest in Canada, along with Alberta's — and some minimum wage workers say it's not enough. 

The increase is part of a Saskatchewan government promise from 2022, when it bumped up the minimum wage to $13 from $11.81, with a pledge to increase it by another dollar in each of the next two years.

Peter Gilmer, an advocate with the Regina Anti-Poverty Ministry, said the changes haven't kept pace with the rising cost of living. It's "far less" than what's required, Gilmer said. 

"We've been competing for the lowest minimum wage in the country for a long time, and I think that's really not a good indicator for the province. This has actually hurt people very much," he said. 

Gilmer said the minimum wage in Saskatchewan should be a living wage. 

According to a September 2023 study by the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives, a living wage would be $17.80 in Regina and $18.95 in Saskatoon.  

Gilmer said inflation has hit the hardest in areas where low-income households typically spend the majority of their money. He said there's hardly any money left for minimum wage workers to spend after paying rent.

"We regularly hear from people who have their utilities cut off even though they are in full-time employment. So we know that the low minimum wage is hurtful," he said. 

According to the latest Consumer Price Index data from Statistics Canada, from August, Saskatchewan recorded a 6.8 per cent year-over-year increase in rent. The price for food purchased from stores has gone up by 3.2 per cent in the province during that period, the report said. 

Gilmer said advocates have been calling for the minimum wage to go up to $15 for more than a decade. 

"While we're there, it's far too late. The actual cost of a living wage nowadays is significantly higher, and that's what we need to be aiming for," he said. 

According to 2018 data, three per cent of Saskatchewan's total employees earned minimum wages. 

Pushpinder Kaur, an international student at the University of Regina, works at a minimum wage job and said she's had to rely on money transfers from her parents in India to make ends meet.

"Sometimes, I feel depressed because there are exams and I also do jobs. Sometimes, I forget to have food," she said.

Christian Nwoye moved to Saskatchewan only a couple weeks ago. He said he started working at a minimum-wage job, but $15 an hour isn't enough. 

"You find a side job or something else to do," he said. "During the weekends, during your free time, just find something to help yourself or to make ends meet — or to eat."

Nwoye said he's been trying to work that extra bit. He said it's already starting to take a toll. 

"It affects you mentally, physically because your body is so drained from working too much," he said.

"We have to keep pushing because that's the life we're living." 

Brianna Solberg, director of provincial affairs with the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB), said whenever a wage increase is mandated, it causes a "bit of a struggle" for small businesses — some of whom, she says, are pressured into increasing the wage despite paying more than the minimum wage. 

Solberg said the increase adds on to inflationary pressures. 

"This is just another straw that could break the camel's back for many small businesses," she said. 

Solberg said business owners want to see the government focus on making life more affordable for residents and not solely place the burden of affordability on businesses.

"I think the government needs to do a better job of cooling inflationary pressures and helping to make things more affordable," Solberg said.

The CFIB says it represents 4,000 business owners in Saskatchewan. According to its September survey, Solberg said, 57 per cent of its members suggested wage costs were the top expenditure for their businesses. 

The province wouldn't comment because of restrictions concerning the Election Act after a provincial election was called Tuesday.