Manitoba announces minimum wage hike

Wage will rise 25 cents an hour in the fall, province also eyes ‘loosening restrictions’ on Sunday shopping

The minimum wage in Manitoba will rise by 25 cents per hour this fall, the province announced in its 2012 budget.

The budget, delivered by Finance Minister Stan Struthers on April 17, contains a provision that would see the minimum wage rise from $10 to $10.25 per hour on Oct. 1, 2012.

The 2012 budget did not contain any payroll-related tax changes. But in last year’s budget, the government announced it would increase the basic personal amount claimed on a Manitoba Personal Tax Credits Return (TD1 MB) from $8,634 in 2012 to $8,884 in 2013 and to $9,134 in 2014.

As part of the 2012 budget, the province also proposed to “loosen the restrictions” on Sunday shopping. Under the current rules, retail businesses are not allowed to open Sundays unless municipalities have passed bylaws permitting it. Stores allowed to open can only do so between noon and 6 p.m.

Budget documents state the province will work with employers and workers, and consult with the public on changes. Even with the changes, there would still be shopping restrictions on New Year’s Day, Good Friday, Easter Sunday, Canada Day, Labour Day, Remembrance Day and Christmas Day. The government hopes to implement the new Sunday shopping rules before the end of the year.

Latest stories