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It’s often a sign of good character when a government lives up to its promises. Occasionally, however, politicians must recognize that circumstances have changed, and what they thought seemed like a fine idea is no longer in the public’s best interest.

The Rachel Notley government campaigned on the pledge to increase the minimum wage to $15 an hour by 2018, and has already edged closer to that figure since coming to power in May 2015. The minimum wage was lifted by a full dollar to $11.20 and the practice of providing a lower wage for liquor servers — who can count on tips as part of their income — will come to an end this year.

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It was one thing to debate the wisdom of a $15-an-hour minimum wage more than a year ago; it’s quite another matter to press on with the increase given the perilous state of Alberta’s economy. Predictably, business groups, which have warned of layoffs and reduced hours if their labour costs continue to climb, are upset the NDP is going through the charade of consultations while boasting at its weekend convention that it will live up to its election promise.