Minimum wage for workers in federally regulated sectors increasing to $15 starting today
Posted December 29, 2021 1:59 pm.
Over 26,000 workers in federally regulated sectors will see a pay hike starting Wednesday when the minimum wage officially rose to $15 an hour.
The federal government committed to implementing the increase in part because of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
In its budget, Justin Trudeau’s government said the pandemic has “increased focus on the essential work done by a large proportion of minimum wage-earning workers.”
Of the more than 26,000 workers who will benefit from the hike, the government says 36 per cent are newcomers and recent immigrants to Canada.
“Canada’s economic prosperity depends on every Canadian having a fair chance to succeed,” Minister of Labour, Seamus O’Regan Jr. said in a release earlier this month.
“The new $15 per hour federal minimum wage will support thousands of workers, lift more Canadians out of poverty, and support our economic recovery. It’s one of the many ways we are working to improve the quality of life of workers and their families across the country.”
MP for Ajax and Leader of the Government in the House of Commons, Mark Holland, tweeted about the pay hike on Wednesday, saying “every dollar makes a difference.”
For Canadians working minimum wage jobs, every dollar makes a difference. That is why, as of today, our government has raised minimum wage to $15 per hour for workers in federally regulated sectors. We will continue to support Canadian workers and their families. pic.twitter.com/oaYGNrmvPb
— Mark Holland (@markhollandlib) December 29, 2021
Some responded to Holland’s tweet, arguing the wage still isn’t high enough to keep up with the rising cost of living.
This post isn’t the win you think it is. $15 an hour isn’t a livable wage for anyone so stop patting yourselves on the back for keeping people living in poverty.
— Bleasdale Family – #ThinkDLD (@bleasdalefamily) December 29, 2021
With rent prices going over 2k/month for a 2 bedroom, who can afford to only make $15/hour?
— Hugo Stiglitz (92 days.. maybe) (@NOONNIAGARA5) December 29, 2021
$15 wasn’t enough 10 years ago. The cost of everything just goes up to counter it. We need a UBI and whatever party is willing to actually care about Canadians enough to ensure it, and keep businesses from overcharging ($) us for everything will be the one I vote for next.
— JRR Tokin (@MarkEGDorey1) December 29, 2021
Meanwhile, Ontario premier Doug Ford has committed to raising the minimum wage in 2022.
The province says the general minimum wage will increase from $14.35 to $15 per hour on January 1, 2022. The minimum wage will then go up every October in line with the rate of inflation.
The province also confirmed that the liquor server’s minimum wage will increase to $15 an hour. That wage currently sits at $12.55 per hour.
