“All working Albertans should earn enough to put food on their tables and keep a roof over their heads,” says McGowan
EDMONTON – As of today, Alberta’s minimum wage has been frozen at $15 per hour for 6 years, despite high inflation during the same period. The UCP government’s lack of action has left Alberta’s lowest-paid workers struggling to afford the basics, says Alberta Federation of Labour (AFL) president Gil McGowan.
“Prices for housing and food continue to skyrocket in this province, and Alberta minimum-wage workers need a raise. Workers can’t make ends meet on $15 an hour and the UCP doesn’t seem to care.”
Alberta’s minimum wage has been frozen at $15 per hour since 2018, while a “student” minimum wage was created in 2019 at $13 per hour. Every other province has reacted to the rising cost of living by increasing their minimum wage in the last year. Alberta is now tied with Saskatchewan for the worst minimum wage in Canada. BC’s minimum wage is $17.40 per hour, and Ontario’s is $17.20 per hour. Workers in federally regulated industries make a minimum wage of $17.30 per hour.
“A wage freeze is a cut. If the Alberta minimum wage had kept pace with inflation over the past 6 years, it would be $19 per hour today. But, given the high cost of living in Alberta, even that would not be enough,” says McGowan.
The living wage for workers to cover their basic expenses and have a modest standard of living varies by community, and is above $20 per hour in many Alberta towns and cities, including about $24 per hour in Calgary and Fort McMurray; and $21-$22 per hour in Edmonton, Spruce Grove, St. Albert, Stony Plain, High River, Lac La Biche, and Lethbridge.
“Alberta used to be a wage leader, not anymore,” says McGowan. “Minimum-wage earners have lost almost 30% of their purchasing power because of the UCP wage freeze. All Alberta workers should earn enough to put food on their tables and keep a roof over their heads. But, as Albertans struggle to pay their bills, the UCP is missing in action.”
– 30 –
MEDIA CONTACT:
Gil McGowan
President, AFL
gmcgowan@afl.org