Minimum wage in 1975 and 2013 equal, in constant dollars

StatsCan reports 6.7 per cent of workforce earns base salary

Those who earned minimum wage in 1975 were making the same amount, in constant dollars, as their counterparts in 2013.

According to a report released on July 16 by Statistics Canada, the average minimum wage in 2013 was $10.14 per hour, and $10.13 in 1975 (expressed in 2013 dollars, to account for inflation).

In between that period, however, the minimum wage fluctuated significantly. Between 1975 and 1986, the wage declined from $10.13 to $7.53, before increasing to $8.81 in 1996.

Up until 2003, the minimum wage remained relatively stable, at around $8.50. Since then, each province has raised its rate.

The report also noted 6.7 per cent of the Canadian workforce earned the minimum wage in 2013, a jump from five per cent in 1997 — with much of that increase happening between 2003 and 2010.

Of the provinces, Prince Edward Island and Ontario employ the highest number of minimum wage workers, at 9.3 per cent and 8.9 per cent respectively. Alberta has the lowest rate, at 1.8 per cent.

Young, less-educated, part-time and service industry workers were most likely to be paid the base wage.

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