Small business group petitions against Alberta minimum wage hike

CALGARY – A lobby group for small businesses has launched an online petition to try to stop the Alberta government’s plan to substantially increase the minimum wage.

The New Democrats say they will raise the wage by a dollar this fall and continue with increases until it reaches $15 an hour by 2018.

The minimum wage is currently $10.20 an hour.

READ MORE: Restaurant industry has minimum wage ideas for Alberta

Amber Ruddy with the Canadian Federation of Independent Business says the group has heard a lot of concerns since the first increase was announced.

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The federation is offering to set up roundtables so the government can hear directly from small businesses.

READ MORE: Alberta’s phased minimum wage hike to start in October

She says the consultation period on minimum wage increases was too short.

Ruddy says entrepreneurs are worked up and want elected officials to show that they are listening.

READ MORE: Could you live on the minimum wage?

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