Worries about minimum-wage hike reaching the ear of Alberta finance minister

WATCH ABOVE: Finance Minister Joe Ceci met with Edmonton’s Chamber of Commerce Monday morning. Provincial Affairs reporter Tom Vernon provided details on what was discussed.

EDMONTON — Alberta Finance Minister Joe Ceci is hearing concerns from business leaders about the NDP government’s plan to increase the minimum wage.

Ceci says the hike was one of the issues raised in a meeting with the Edmonton Chamber of Commerce.

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He says some members are suggesting changes to offset the impacts of a wage increase on small- and medium-sized businesses.

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

Suggestions include a different pay scale for new or young employees or help to businesses to defray the cost of hiring summer students.

Premier Rachel Notley’s government aims to raise the minimum wage by $1 to $11.20 an hour on Oct. 1.

The rate is to go up to $15 an hour by 2018.