Close X
Wednesday, November 13, 2024
ADVT 
National

Quebec Raising Minimum Wage To $12 As Of May 1

The Canadian Press, 17 Jan, 2018 12:17 PM
  • Quebec Raising Minimum Wage To $12 As Of May 1
MONTREAL — Quebec will raise the province's minimum wage to $12 an hour as of May 1, Labour Minister Dominique Vien announced Wednesday.
 
More than 352,000 workers stand to benefit from the 75-cent increase, the largest hike in Quebec history.
 
Vien said in a statement the rise is in line with a four-year plan to have the minimum wage equivalent to 50 per cent of the average provincial hourly wage by 2020, without exceeding that level.
 
Quebec's thriving economy has also helped the average hourly salary rise more quickly than anticipated, she added.
 
"The good economic performance of Quebec allows us to substantially raise the minimum wage," Vien said. 
 
"This increase will improve the quality of life for low-income workers as well as promote the incentive to work, raise the amount of disposable income and contribute to lowering the rate of poverty, without harming the job market and competitiveness of our businesses." 
 
The raise represents between $462 and $979 in the pocketbooks of minimum wage earners, depending on hours worked and family situation.
 
At $12, Quebec's minimum wage would be the third highest in the country behind Alberta's and Ontario's.
 
Ontario raised its minimum hourly wage to $14 per hour on Jan. 1 and plans another increase to $15 next January.
 
Alberta's minimum wage is expected to rise to $15 later this year.
 
Daniel Boyer, president of the Quebec Federation of Labour, which represents about 600,000 workers, said the province could have done better.
 
The labour organization was behind a fight that began in May 2016 for a $15 minimum wage in the province — something Quebec wouldn't commit to.
 
Employer groups like the Canadian Federation of Independent Business expressed concern with the sudden hike, adding it hoped Quebec would stick with its initial plan.
 
"It's a bit unexpected," said Martine Hebert, the group's senior vice-president. "We would have preferred the government follow its original game plan."
 
In January 2017, Vien had mapped out increases of 50, 35 and 35 cents between 2018 and 2020, bringing the minimum salary to $12.45 by 2020.
 
But she cautioned at the time the increases could change depending on the economic situation.
 
Workers who make minimum age with tips will see their hourly pay climb by 35 cents to $9.80 an hour, also on May 1.

MORE National ARTICLES

Tim Hortons Regulars Launch #NoTimmiesTuesday Over Minimum Wage Response

Tim Hortons Regulars Launch #NoTimmiesTuesday Over Minimum Wage Response
Niki Lundquist loves the Earl Grey tea at Tim Hortons so much it's become a running joke in her Toronto office. "No one has ever seen me without a Tim Hortons cup in my hand," said the in-house trade union counsel.

Tim Hortons Regulars Launch #NoTimmiesTuesday Over Minimum Wage Response

Vancouver's Empty Homes Tax Prompts Audits, Call To Complete Forms

Vancouver's Empty Homes Tax Prompts Audits, Call To Complete Forms
The City of Vancouver has launched its empty homes tax audit system meant to ensure residents are complying with the program.

Vancouver's Empty Homes Tax Prompts Audits, Call To Complete Forms

Jamie Bacon NOT Granted Bail By Judge In BC Supreme Court

Jamie Bacon NOT Granted Bail By Judge In BC Supreme Court
A B.C. Supreme Court judge has denied bail to Jamie Bacon, who is awaiting trial on a charge of counselling murder.

Jamie Bacon NOT Granted Bail By Judge In BC Supreme Court

B.C. Taxi Group Urges Province To Take Slow And Cautious Route On Ride Share

B.C. Taxi Group Urges Province To Take Slow And Cautious Route On Ride Share
VANCOUVER — The B.C. Taxi Association says ride sharing services like Uber and Lyft need to be held to the same regulatory standards as taxi associations if they are allowed to operate in the province.

B.C. Taxi Group Urges Province To Take Slow And Cautious Route On Ride Share

Police Investigating Homicide Trying To Identify Man Found Dead In Surrey

Police Investigating Homicide Trying To Identify Man Found Dead In Surrey
Police say the residence where the man was found is in the 17800 block of 64th Avenue.

Police Investigating Homicide Trying To Identify Man Found Dead In Surrey

Punjab Worst Offender Among Four States In Abuse Of Elderly, Finds Study

Punjab Worst Offender Among Four States In Abuse Of Elderly, Finds Study
Half Of The Elderly Surveyed By HelpAge India Tells They Suffered At The Hands Of Their Own Offspring.

Punjab Worst Offender Among Four States In Abuse Of Elderly, Finds Study