Sask. hiking minimum wage to $15.35 this fall
Current minimum of $15 per hour is lowest in the country
Saskatchewan's minimum wage is increasing to $15.35 per hour this fall, which could break a tie with Alberta for the lowest rate in the country.
The provincial government announced the minimum wage increase on Thursday. The new rate starts Oct. 1.
"By raising the minimum wage, we are continuing to support workers and deliver on our commitment to affordability," Labour Relations and Workplace Safety Minister Jim Reiter said in a news release.
Saskatchewan's current $15/hour minimum wage is tied with Alberta for the lowest in the country. Alberta's rate hasn't changed since 2018.
Saskatchewan uses a formula that gives equal weight to the Consumer Price Index and average hourly wage to calculate the minimum wage.
In 2007, Saskatchewan's minimum wage was $7.95. Ten years ago, the minimum wage hit $10.50 per hour.
The province said it will meet with local chambers of commerce in the coming months to discuss "the implications of increasing minimum wage for the business community and the impact on Saskatchewan's economy."