NDP Leader Meili Not Satisfied with Minimum Wage Increase. Wants $15/H
MJ Independent
Saskatchewan's minimum wage officially increased by a total of 10 cents, effective October 1st. But the leader of the opposition NDP, Ryan Meili, isn't satisfied with that.
Ryan Meili
At $11.06/hour, that wage is still the second lowest minimum wage in the country. Only Nova Scotia's is lower ($11.00). This is a total the NDP says "leaves Saskatchewan workers struggling to make ends meet."
“When the minimum wage has been so low for so long, an extra dime an hour just doesn’t cut it,” said NDP Leader and Jobs Critic Ryan Meili.
He added that “people earning minimum wage work incredibly hard, and they’re still falling behind because of this conservative government’s inaction. No one should be working full time and still living in poverty.”
While Speaking to a crowd at a store in Saskatoon called The Better Good, Meili committed to phasing in an increase of the minimum wage to $15/hour within the first term of an NDP government.
“The evidence is clear" he said "raising the minimum wage improves health outcomes, decreasing public costs for social supports, and improves the economy through increased local spending without negatively impact employment."
Meili was speaking at The Better Good
Laura Neufeld, the owner of the store, which sells everything from Home Décor, Clothing, Shoes, Bags and Books to Mattresses, cleaners and coffee, all made either free trade, organic or locally and all intended to fit a healthy and sustainable life, also spoke at the store. “When workers earn enough to meet their families’ needs, everyone does better" she said, "including local businesses."
The Better Good, is a "living wage" employer and has been since 2014. Neufeld says she has “seen firsthand the positive difference paying good wages makes in both the success of my business and the lives of my employees.”
Alberta, whose economy is growing much faster than Saskatchewan’s, saw their minimum wage increase to $15 an hour today. That means a full time worker in Alberta is seeing a larger monthly raise ($212) than a worker in our province will see all year ($182).
Warren McCall, the NDP's Labour Relations Critic also commented on the minimum wage increase, saying “slow-walking the minimum wage hurts people and stunts our economic growth. The Sask. Party government is ignoring this vital economic stimulus tool and the economy is suffering for it. Saskatchewan people deserve better.”
