On September 1, 2005 minimum wage rates were increased in both Alberta and Saskatchewan.
Alberta’s minimum wage increased nearly 20 percent from $5.90 to $7.00 per hour. More than 1,900 Albertans participated in a public consultation wherein a majority of the respondents agreed that there should be one significant increase rather than several incremental increases. The planned increase was announced in April of 2005 in order to give Alberta businesses four months to budget for the new expense. Alberta’s minimum wage was last increased in three stages over the 12-month period between 1998-1999.
In Saskatchewan, the minimum wage increase was first announced June 22, 2005, as part of a three-step process. On September 1, 2005, Saskatchewan’s minimum wage increased by roughly 6%, from $6.65 to $7.05. Furture adjustments will see the minimum wage increase to $7.55 an hour on March 1st, 2006 and to $7.95 an hour on March 1st, 2007, for a total inclrease of roughly 20%. Saskatchewan’s last minimum wage adjustment occurred in November of 2002.
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