Canada will raise the minimum wage
The changes will take effect at the end of the year.
Quality and secure jobs are the driving force behind a strong economy. Canada's prosperity and stability depends on every Canadian, yet some Canadians work part-time or in low-paying jobs, sometimes in multiple jobs, to support themselves and their families.
The Government of Canada has proposed increasing the federal minimum wage to $15 CAD per hour. This important change will take effect on December 29, 2021. The change will affect federally regulated private sector workers and represents an important step towards reducing poverty and inequality.
The COVID-19 pandemic shed light on the important work done by low-wage employees. Airline agents helped stranded Canadians return to the country, bank tellers helped cope with the financial impact of business closures, and trucking industry workers delivered food and necessities to local stores. Without them, the past year would have looked very different.
The Independent Federal Minimum Wage was recommended by the Expert Panel on Modern Federal Labor Standards in 2019. It also ensures that workers in the federally regulated private sector have a robust and up-to-date set of labor standards that reflect the realities of the 21st century. Unions and working groups have also been instrumental in raising awareness of the importance of such measures that will help improve the lives of low-wage workers and their families.
