Close X
Saturday, November 23, 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

Prominent Canadian Theatre Figure Albert Schultz Faces Sex, Harassment Claims

Prominent Canadian Theatre Figure Albert Schultz Faces Sex, Harassment Claims
  TORONTO — A prominent figure in the Canadian theatre world and the company he founded are facing four separate lawsuits alleging sexual assault and harassment.

Prominent Canadian Theatre Figure Albert Schultz Faces Sex, Harassment Claims

Southern Vancouver Island's First Baby Of 2018 Born On Laundry Room Floor

Southern Vancouver Island's First Baby Of 2018 Born On Laundry Room Floor
The first baby born on southern Vancouver Island in 2018 made a dramatic entrance Monday, delivered on the floor of the family's laundry room with her father's help and coaching from a 911 dispatcher.

Southern Vancouver Island's First Baby Of 2018 Born On Laundry Room Floor

Young Political Staffers Most Vulnerable To Sex Harassment On The Hill, Says Elizabeth May

May is making the observation following a new Canadian Press survey of female MPs that suggests the problem is as prevalent in the corridors of power in Ottawa as it is everywhere else.

Young Political Staffers Most Vulnerable To Sex Harassment On The Hill, Says Elizabeth May

Wrongfully Imprisoned B.C. Man Denies Allegations Of Assault In Civil Lawsuit

VANCOUVER — A British Columbia man awarded millions for wrongful imprisonment is now defending himself in a civil lawsuit, again denying he sexually assaulted five women.

Wrongfully Imprisoned B.C. Man Denies Allegations Of Assault In Civil Lawsuit

Ex-Hostage Joshua Boyle Facing 15 Charges, Case Adjourned Until Monday

Ex-Hostage Joshua Boyle Facing 15 Charges, Case Adjourned Until Monday
OTTAWA — Former Canadian hostage Joshua Boyle made a brief video appearance in an Ottawa courtroom today after being charged with 15 offences, including sexual assault, following his release from captivity in Afghanistan.

Ex-Hostage Joshua Boyle Facing 15 Charges, Case Adjourned Until Monday

Snowmobilers Rescue Moose Buried Neck-deep In Snow In Western Newfoundland

Snowmobilers Rescue Moose Buried Neck-deep In Snow In Western Newfoundland
  DEER LAKE, N.L. — A group of snowmobilers pulled out their shovels to free a stuck moose after spotting its head poking out of freshly fallen snow in western Newfoundland.

Snowmobilers Rescue Moose Buried Neck-deep In Snow In Western Newfoundland