Bill proposes increase to minimum wage

The minimum wage in Nunavut may be increased to $8.50 an hour if Bill 21, an act to amend the Labour Standards Act is passed.

The bill received first and second reading in the House last Friday, and is now before the Ajauqtiit committee.

The current act sets the minimum wage at between $6 and $7 depending on the age and location of the worker. The proposed amendment would set one minimum wage for all workers, regardless of age and location.

Premier Paul Okalik, the minister of justice, said the $8.50 rate was chosen after consultations with the business community.

“What we found was a surprising concurrence to increase it,” he said in an interview.