Upcoming minimum wage changes
QUESTION: Are there any minimum wage changes planned for 2017? We have employees in most of the provinces and territories.
ANSWER: Here is a list of the minimum wage changes that we are aware of so far:
Alberta: On Oct. 1, the provincial government will raise the general minimum wage rate from $12.20 per hour to $13.60. Rates will also go up for certain types of salespeople and domestic employees who live in their employer’s home.
British Columbia: The provincial government indexes minimum wage rates using increases in the consumer price index for British Columbia for the previous year (rounded to the nearest nickel). Changes take effect Sept. 15 every year, with the government announcing rate changes in March. On Sept. 15 this year, the government estimates the general minimum wage rate will rise from $10.85 an hour to $11.25 and the rate for liquor servers will rise from $9.60 an hour to $10.
Manitoba: The provincial government is reviewing the way it sets the minimum wage rate. To date, it has not announced if there will be any general minimum wage rate increases this year. However, the government is expected to raise the minimum wage rate that applies for licensed security guards. Effective Oct. 1, the minimum wage rate for security guards who hold a license issued under the Private Investigators and Security Guards Act will be $2.25 an hour more than the general minimum wage rate.
New Brunswick: The minimum wage rate will rise from $10.65 an hour to $11 on April 1.
Newfoundland and Labrador: The minimum wage rate will rise from $10.50 an hour to $10.75 on April 1. It will go up again on Oct. 1 to $11.
Nova Scotia: Minimum wage changes are indexed to the consumer price index. Any minimum wage changes will occur April 1. At publication time, the government had yet not announced changes for this year.
Ontario: Minimum wage changes are tied to the consumer price index. Any minimum wage changes will occur on Oct. 1, with the government announcing rate changes by April 1.
Saskatchewan: The government annually indexes the minimum wage rate based on percentage changes to both the consumer price index and the average hourly wage for the previous year. Minimum wage changes are expected to occur on Oct. 1 each year, with the government announcing the rate change by June 30.
Yukon: The territory adjusts its minimum wage every April 1 based on the consumer price index. At publication time, the government had not yet announced changes for this year.
Rules for electronic pay statements
QUESTION: Do all Canadian jurisdictions allow employers to provide employees with pay statements electronically rather than on paper?
ANSWER: In most Canadian jurisdictions, labour standards laws allow employers to provide electronic pay statements to employees, provided that employers meet certain conditions:
