Min Wage to be set at $7/hr

[Eagle Eye]

Looks like Alberta is going to raise the min wage to $7/hr.

http://www.canada.com/calgary/calgaryheral...33-b44e90311ce2

[albertGQ]

That will only affect about 3% of the Alberta population. Not a big deal IMO.



Side Note: Since the minimum wage is going up and servers make minimum wage, does this mean we can tip them less now??? My answer is YES!!!

[Bill Bumface]

I concur, no more tips for you!

$7 and you want tips? You sound like a bunch of whining hockey players.

[MrMastodonFarm]

Yes! A Raise!!

[BlackArcher101]

I keep hearing the government say that barely anyone makes mininum wage anyways, so it won't make any difference. That's somewhat true, but not entirely. While some may not be making $5.95 or whatever it's at right now, even more are making a wage that set at a certain rate above the min. Some start at min wage + 20 cents. These employees don't count toward the governments 1-3% making min wage. A raise in min wage will certainly affect more people than they think.

[Faid1]

Well I think it's a little ridiculous that we have the lowest minimum wage in Canada. Back when the exchange rate was low, it was even worse in comparison to the US

Yes! A Raise!!

haha

[calf]

Originally posted by BlackArcher101@Feb 9 2005, 04:41 PM
A raise in min wage will certainly affect more people than they think.

I might be going out on a limb here, but with a mandatory wage increase, I would think that some business owners will not feel like paying those in the really low wage range any more, therefore laying off tons of people, making some people worse off than with the raise in min wage. just a thought.

[KevanGuy]

Well, its not great for my business. I don't pay my staff minimum but their hourly rates are that much closer to minimum now. The psychological impact of that is something that I am not looking forward too. I cant afford to raise my rates that I charge my clients so it could mean that some of my current staff will leave.

I think if we are going to compare the current minimum wage in Alberta to the other provinces we should also look at the relative cost of living in each province. If ours is the lowest then our minimum wage should be the lowest.

[the_only_turek_fan]

What kind of business do you have if you dont mind me asking?

[KevanGuy]

Fundraising, Strategic Planning and Arts Marketing for Nor-For-Profits and Arts Organizations.

[BaronInEdmonton]

Its never a good thing to raise the minimum wage. The province, as a whole, just got hit with a madatory buck ten and hour inflation hike. May not seem like alot, but every business that people shop at will raise their prices soon to cover the cost of the raise. This ranges from gas stations, grocery stores, clothing retailers, and pretty much any retail store. But I guess it was inevitable that the minimum would be raised eventually so $1.10 isn't that bad.

I'm reminded of the 'Kids in the Hall' skit, where the convenience store night shift guy was looking for a raise. And after the raise is rejected a suit says, "Yeah, and $4.75 and hour will really get you that Porsche".

[albertGQ]

An increase in the minimum wage results in a decrease in low skilled jobs (fast food, gas jockey, etc.)

[KevanGuy]

Originally posted by albertGQ@Feb 9 2005, 11:06 PM
An increase in the minimum wage results in a decrease in low skilled jobs (fast food, gas jockey, etc.)

How's that? Someone has to do those jobs.

EDIT: Well, decrease is a relative word I guess. I suppose a few places might cut some jobs and suffer but I don't see how it would be a significant amount.

[Sylvanfan]

The thing with an increase in minimum wage is that it instanly cuts the purchasing power of someone making like $9 an hour hard. It happened in B.C. when the NDP upped to to like $7 back in the mid 90's. Really very few people in Alberta make minimum wage, and even fewer who actually work full time. I make a few bucks more than minimum wage, but I'm not going to get a raise because minimum wage goes up, but everything I want to buy will likely go up in price.

[albertGQ]

Originally posted by KevanGuy+Feb 9 2005, 11:08 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (KevanGuy @ Feb 9 2005, 11:08 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> <!--QuoteBegin-albertGQ@Feb 9 2005, 11:06 PM
An increase in the minimum wage results in a decrease in low skilled jobs (fast food, gas jockey, etc.)

How's that? Someone has to do those jobs.

EDIT: Well, decrease is a relative word I guess. I suppose a few places might cut some jobs and suffer but I don't see how it would be a significant amount. [/b][/quote]
It probably wont' be a significant amount, but the number of positions either stay stagnant over time or actually decrease whenever the minimum wage is increased

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally posted by Faid1@Feb 9 2005, 11:48 PM
Well I think it's a little ridiculous that we have the lowest minimum wage in Canada. Back when the exchange rate was low, it was even worse in comparison to the US

Alberta also has one of the lowest costs of living (maybe not Calgary though). Rent, food, energy, and taxes are lower than most other places in Canada.

Raising minimum wage will eventually add to inflation, and we'll all end up paying more for stuff.

[Indi]

Originally posted by FlamesAddiction+Feb 10 2005, 06:34 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (FlamesAddiction @ Feb 10 2005, 06:34 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> <!--QuoteBegin-Faid1@Feb 9 2005, 11:48 PM
Well I think it's a little ridiculous that we have the lowest minimum wage in Canada. Back when the exchange rate was low, it was even worse in comparison to the US

Alberta also has one of the lowest costs of living (maybe not Calgary though). Rent, food, energy, and taxes are lower than most other places in Canada.

Raising minimum wage will eventually add to inflation, and we'll all end up paying more for stuff. [/b][/quote]
sorry man, but I beg to differ....Alberta has one of the highest rates for insurance in the country (auto/home), since deregulation, our electricity rates have increased by around 30% (dont even get me started on this), natural gas prices are pretty much constant thru-out the land.....except for some communities that bought co-op gas at a much lower rate...if your a renter in an apartment, forget about the gas rebate. One thing we still have going for us is the no pst, but as far as just money for 'living', Alberta is expensive.

[albertGQ]

Originally posted by jcody+Feb 10 2005, 01:43 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (jcody @ Feb 10 2005, 01:43 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'>

Alberta also has one of the lowest costs of living (maybe not Calgary though). Rent, food, energy, and taxes are lower than most other places in Canada.

Raising minimum wage will eventually add to inflation, and we'll all end up paying more for stuff.

sorry man, but I beg to differ....Alberta has one of the highest rates for insurance in the country (auto/home), since deregulation, our electricity rates have increased by around 30% (dont even get me started on this), natural gas prices are pretty much constant thru-out the land.....except for some communities that bought co-op gas at a much lower rate...if your a renter in an apartment, forget about the gas rebate. One thing we still have going for us is the no pst, but as far as just money for 'living', Alberta is expensive. [/b][/quote]
Not to mention one of only three provinces that have health care premiums.



With all that being said, I beleive Alberta is still the lowest taxed province in Canada. What we need to do is get the federal gov't to cut taxes. The $8500 exemption level is just ridiculously low. They need that raised for sure

[Incinerator]

Originally posted by KevanGuy@Feb 10 2005, 03:44 AM


I think if we are going to compare the current minimum wage in Alberta to the other provinces we should also look at the relative cost of living in each province. If ours is the lowest then our minimum wage should be the lowest.

I find it hard to believe it would cost less to live in Calgary than anywhere in Saskatchewan, even with provincial taxes factored in.

[KevanGuy]

Originally posted by Incinerator+Feb 10 2005, 07:09 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (Incinerator @ Feb 10 2005, 07:09 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> <!--QuoteBegin-KevanGuy@Feb 10 2005, 03:44 AM


I think if we are going to compare the current minimum wage in Alberta to the other provinces we should also look at the relative cost of living in each province. If ours is the lowest then our minimum wage should be the lowest.

I find it hard to believe it would cost less to live in Calgary than anywhere in Saskatchewan, even with provincial taxes factored in. [/b][/quote]
Sask isnt included in this study but it shows Alberta is low relative to the rest of the Country.

http://www.alberta-canada.com/statpub/pdf/...ostLiving04.pdf