Minimum wage legislation exists for Canadian provinces and territories as included in labor and employment standards. Minimum wage laws stipulate the lowest rate an employer can pay employees who are covered under an Act or Standard and serve an important purpose: the protection of non-unionized workers in unskilled jobs. Minimum wage rate standards can, however, also influence the levels of compensation other employees receive.
Effective September 1, 2011 Saskatchewan’s minimum wage rate will increase by 25 cents from $9.25 to $9.50 per hour. Saskatchewan is one of four provinces that have legislation requiring a regular review of the minimum wage. Every two years, the Minimum Wage Board reviews the minimum wage rate and makes recommendations to the Minister, although the government is not obligated to increase or in any way change the wage rate. Over the past four years Saskatchewan’s minimum wage rate has incrementally increased by a total of $1.30, maintaining a competitive minimum wage rate as compared to the other provinces.
Historically, there were two provinces to initiate minimum wage legislation in 1918, British Columbia and Manitoba. By about 1920 Nova Scotia, Ontario, Quebec and Saskatchewan followed the trend, however, these early laws were applicable to female workers in specified types of employment. For some provinces, the early minimum wage laws referred to wages only, while in others the minimum wage governing body had the power to regulate other workplace conditions such as hours, meals and breaks. In 1925 British Columbia adopted the “Men’s Minimum Wage” Act legislating minimum wages for male workers. Around the 1950’s minimum wage standards based on gender gave way to the equal pay standards we are familiar with today.