Territory now has highest minimum wage in Canada

By Nunatsiaq News

Nunavut employers will be required to pay the highest minimum wage in Canada—$16 an hour—as of April 1, Nunavut Justice Minister Jeannie Ehaloak has announced.

“This represents a substantial increase from the existing minimum wage and will help support Nunavummiut and their families,” Ehaloak said on Thursday, March 12.

The new minimum wage is $3 an hour higher than the old minimum wage of $13.

It also means that at $16, the rate is higher than minimum wages in all other provinces and territories.

The Minister of Justice just announced that effective April 1, 2020 the minimum wage in Nunavut will increase from $13 to $16! — AdamArreakLightstone (@AdamLightstone) March 12, 2020

After April 1, Alberta will have the second highest minimum wage at $15 an hour, followed by Ontario at $14, says information provided by the Retail Council of Canada.

As for the other two territories, the Yukon minimum wage stands at $12.71 an hour and the Northwest Territories minimum wage stands at $13.46, the Retail Council of Canada says.

Nunavut’s decision follows a consultation process the Nunavut Department of Justice did in September and October of 2019, when staff surveyed businesses and Nunavut residents, Ehaloak said.

“They also reviewed information regarding the cost of living in our territory, social supports available and the minimum wage levels across the country. The information gathered was used to determine the appropriate minimum wage for our territory,” she said in her statement.

She also said that over the coming weeks, the Justice Department will do an information campaign to ensure all businesses and employees are aware of the change.