Winnipeg workers among worst paid in Canada

Winnipeg is often noted for its lower cost of living compared to other cities.

Good thing, because data shows Winnipeggers make, on average, less money than workers in any other major centre in the country.

Last year, salaried employees here earned an average of $38,000, while workers in twelve other cities, including Regina, banked higher incomes, according to data from the Conference Board of Canada.

The Provincial NDP government says Winnipeg’s low salaries are offset by the city’s affordability. "When you do the comparison with wages and the cost of living, Manitobans have quite a lower cost of living than other jurisdictions," says Rosann Wowchuk, minister of finance.

But Winnipeg’s Chamber of Commerce doesn’t buy that explanation. "I don’t see any connection between affordability and high paying jobs. We don’t have low paying jobs because we’re affordable," says chamber president Dave Angus.

Here’s a look at the salaries, from 2009: