Yukon’s minimum wage to rise
The territory’s minimum wage workers can look forward to an extra $8 per day.
The territory’s minimum wage workers can look forward to an extra $8 per day.
The Yukon’s minimum wage will rise to $13.71 per hour on April 1, up from $12.71, the territorial government said Thursday. That will make it the fourth-highest in the country.
This change represents a two-per-cent increase based on the 2019 Consumer Price Index (CPI) for Whitehorse plus an additional 75 cents.
The government approved the increase following an order made by the Employment Standards Board. The board considered criteria including:
• changes in the annual CPI;
• a comparison and monitoring of other jurisdictions; and
• an economic impact analysis of wage increases.
“This increase to minimum wage will support workers who need it most while ensuring that Yukon businesses can continue to attract and retain workers in a tight labour market,” said Community Services Minister John Streicker.
“Thank you to the Employment Standards Board for their work.”
The CPI is a baseline set on a basket of daily purchases such as fuel, food and clothing.
Comments (13)
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Juniper Jackson on Feb 27, 2020 at 3:30 am
If people get a $1.00 raise, everything in town goes up 3.00. No one can get ahead. For Seniors, it is deadly. Rent goes up 20.00 a month, CPP goes up 1.57 a year. Each year I fall further and further behind. I already don't have cable TV, any perks on my landline phone, no cell phone. I had to go back to work. Almost everywhere you go now, you see seniors. The Grocery stores have 75 and 80 year olds working. ..No one is going to profit or get ahead with this minimum raise hike.. pay more in taxes. But, it probably means the welfare buck is going to increase too. THEIR money is not taxed.. drugs, booze and cigarettes....
Up 17 Down 1
Anie on Feb 25, 2020 at 1:10 pm
YukonMax that is simply not true
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YukonMax on Feb 25, 2020 at 7:19 am
The hidden raises... all government employees get their wages adjusted to the consumer price index every year, without asking for it, and probably don't realize when it is added to their pay cheques. That is above their regular wage increases.
You don't hear them crying.
Up 13 Down 1
Bruno on Feb 24, 2020 at 6:08 pm
Has any consideration been given to those on fixed income? I think these members equal about 15% of the voters now.
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Miles Epanhauser on Feb 24, 2020 at 4:41 pm
It's like winning the lottery- little sarcasm
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JC on Feb 24, 2020 at 4:07 pm
Woodcutter: When I was 18 yrs. old, I quit a good government job to serve my country overseas in the Army - took a 2/3 cut in pay, so that Canadians could live in a country with peace and security. Was that a bad decision? When I left, I went back to the labour force. I had to get in the back of the line and wait for an opening. I spent the next 51 years working and paying taxes. I chose not to work for Unions. I saw their greed and chose not to be a part - a part of my moral upbringing I guess. But I worked and payed taxes. Now, I am retired. I may only have my OAS and CPP but I have my pride. Is that a bad decision? And don't thank me for my Service. It's getting a bit boring hearing it. It doesn't pay the rent. And it doesn't heal the physical injuries I endured while in service which Veteran Affairs refuses to compensate me for. But I still have my pride and morals even if it doesn't pay the rent. And I also have the right to make judgments based on my knowledge and wisdom.
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Mick on Feb 24, 2020 at 3:01 pm
@JC
The last raise for YG was an annual increase of 1.75%. What do you suppose the cost of living was for that same period?
Up 17 Down 0
Davis on Feb 24, 2020 at 1:43 pm
@Matthew - Although I don't disagree with you that this raise is a bit of a joke I don't think this issue is isolated up north. I've spent time around Vancouver, on Vancouver island, Calgary, and Edmonton, and $15/h doesn't go far there either. I'm actually often surprised by how expensive rent and food costs are down south, they usually seem to be about the same as up here! I should note that I'm comparing to Whitehorse prices - food prices in the communities are definitely more expensive.
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Matthew on Feb 24, 2020 at 6:26 am
Such a joke.. maybe if food prices didn't rise $500/yr... just 1 example of many.. besides next to no one makes minimum wage up here, starting wages at many places is $15... sad thing is someone making $15 can't afford to live alone.. pick ANY other city down south and $15 gets you living alone and affording it.. remember ALL politicans are just following UN orders..
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Bro Mydes on Feb 23, 2020 at 11:21 pm
Dear Mr Wales: I agree with you that Unions are a problem. However, the echo chambers they are singing the same song in belong to their corporate masters - The YEU does not justly represent its members they just present the employers wishes. YEU: Yes we are Extremely Useless... But pay us anyway...
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Woodcutter on Feb 23, 2020 at 9:51 am
@JC it's so handy to have government employees and unions to blame for your problems and poor decisions?
To link the cost of living on a government employee raise is counter to everyone else blaming the carbon tax.
The slight increase in your pensions is too bad, and serves as a great object lesson for us people still in the labour force, save invest and prepare. If your gonna rely on the government pension alone you too will have something to complain about.
Jeez, with thoughts like this I too could be a conservative party leader now all I need is some rich connected friends and maybe I can afford a private school for my kids.
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Josey Wales on Feb 23, 2020 at 9:03 am
Hey JC...to your participation I say yup!
Question though, “greedy unions” why the redundancy?
Almost like...
Self serving politician...
Fat obese...
Old antique ...
Socialist moron...
Radical environmentalists...
Long ago the canary in a coal mine days, child labour...unions had a role.
Today the unions are a canary in a echo chamber, sing the same song...
Or a mob will peck you to death.
The gap between the haves and have nots is exponentially getting worse each year. In my opinion, all by design and state Sanctioned polarizing to aid in our role of subjects...which we clearly are for thee elite ruling classes and union blowholes.
Often but not always, the same chair is warmed by both.
Until those folks cut out my tongue, sever my fingers I will not stop espousing my individual thoughts and expression...freely.
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JC on Feb 21, 2020 at 5:24 pm
Why is Yukon only the 4th highest in the country. We should be the highest. Look where we live and how much it costs to live and go out for a while. The minimum wage should be $15.00 per hour. And government workers should have their hourly wages frozen for awhile. They're making too much now. It's them that drives up the cost of living for the rest of us. When they got their last raise, I said just watch the prices go up at the food store. Well, I was right. It wasn't very long when the prices rose. And as a retired senior citizen who worked all my adult life, my OAS and CPP only rose by pennies. It doesn't cover any of the large increases to the cost of living. Not fair. The greedy union have to be reigned in.