Manitoba - Minimum Wage Increase Announced

November 22, 2007 - On April 1 2008 Manitoba's minimum wage will be increased by 50 cents to $8.50 an hour. This will help lower-income earners and also make work a more rewarding experience, according to Labour and Immigration Minister Nancy Allan. She said:

"This government has made improvements to the minimum wage on an incremental basis to bolster the purchasing power of minimum wage earners and improve the lives of working people and their families while respecting the ability of employers to pay."

From a rate of $6 an hour in 1999, the minimum wage rate was increased by 25 cents a year between 1999 and 2005. Two further staged increases in 2006 (35 cents) and 2007 (40 cents) brought the rate to $8 an hour.

"This will mark the eighth time since 1999 that our government has increased the minimum wage, which fell behind the real cost of living as a result of a lack of increases during the 1990s," added Nancy Allen. "We are also making significant tax reductions for businesses and individuals in order to ensure that Manitoba remains an affordable place to live, work, raise a family and operate a business."

The Minister noted that with the change taking effect April 1, the rate will have increased by 42 per cent since 1999. During the same period, the small business tax rate will have fallen by 75 per cent.

The forthcoming increase in the minimum wage maintains Manitoba’s position near the middle of rates among Canadian jurisdictions.