WINNIPEG — Manitoba’s Progressive Conservative government is planning to raise the province’s minimum wage every year along with the rate of inflation.
A bill now before the legislature would see the minimum wage increased every Oct. 1 to match the increase in the consumer price index as measured by Statistics Canada.
The idea is similar to approaches in other provinces such as New Brunswick.
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The proposed law contains an exception, however — the government could freeze the minimum wage in the event of a recession or economic downturn.
Manitoba’s minimum wage is $11 an hour and was frozen by the Tories last year after they won the provincial election.
Some poverty-rights groups have called for a $15 hourly minimum, while business groups have said a steep increase could result in job losses.