Statement by MFL President Kevin Rebeck in response to Manitoba officially dropping to the second-lowest minimum wage in the country:

Today, the Government of New Brunswick raised that province’s minimum wage by $1, the first of two $1 raises this year. This officially makes Manitoba’s minimum wage ($11.95) the second-lowest in all of Canada, a mere 14 cents above Saskatchewan’s minimum wage ($11.81). The Government of New Brunswick said having such a low minimum wage was “downright embarrassing.”  We agree.

No one should work full-time and still live in poverty, but that is exactly what is happening to thousands of workers in Manitoba right now because our minimum wage is too low. Now, we see a Progressive Conservative government in New Brunswick stepping up and saying that low-wage workers need a raise. 

Working families are concerned about the rising cost of living, and the increases in the price at the pumps and at the grocery store are hitting low-wage workers particularly hard. 

We think Manitoba workers are worth more than second last in the country, and we encourage the Stefanson government to stop following Brian Pallister’s lead and instead follow the approach of New Brunswick’s Progressive Conservative government. We need a government that works for working families, and that must include immediate plans to significantly raise our minimum wage to be a living wage. 

You can find more information about minimum wages by province at: https://www.retailcouncil.org/resources/quick-facts/minimum-wage-by-province/