Manitoba's Progressive Conservative government is planning to raise the province's minimum wage every year along with the rate of inflation.

A bill now before the legislature would see the minimum wage increased every Oct. 1 to match the increase in the consumer price index as measured by Statistics Canada.

"This will ensure working Manitobans take home more of their hard earned money, along with predictability for businesses," Growth, Enterprise and Trade Minister Cliff Cullen told the legislature Monday.

Cullen anticipates the minimum wage will rise this year to $11.15.

The rise would keep Manitoba in the middle of the pack among Canadian provinces for minimum wages.

The idea is similar to approaches in other provinces such as New Brunswick.

The proposed law contains an exception, however — the government could freeze the minimum wage in the event of a recession or economic downturn.

Manitoba's minimum wage is $11 an hour and was frozen by the Tories last year after they won the provincial election.

Cullen says the legislation ensures wages will not decrease if there is no inflation or it dips into negative numbers.

The NDP opposition panned the PC government for freezing the minimum wage for their first year in office.

Some poverty-rights groups have called for a $15 hourly minimum, while business groups have said a steep increase could result in job losses.

"Their decision hurt Manitoba families ... low income minimum wage earners are not this government's priority," said Flin Flon MLA Tom Lindsey. "Fifteen cents," Lindsey told the legislature, "will not cut it."