Trudeau says Liberals not looking at raising federal minimum wage
OTTAWA — Prime Minister Justin Trudeau waded into the debate Friday about how to boost wages for Canada’s low- and middle-income earners, indicating his government won’t follow provinces that have opted to raise minimum wages.
Minimum wages have continued to go up annually, but some provinces are set to do more.
Alberta is moving its minimum hourly wage to $15 by 2018. Ontario increased its minimum for the third consecutive year just a few days ago and is considering whether to provide a guaranteed minimum income — a no-strings benefit that could replace various targeted social benefits.
Both ideas have been pushed by experts and social advocates as potential solutions to the conundrum of how to boost the financial fortunes of low-income and middle-class Canadians.