Government of Nunavut seeking feedback on minimum wage
Territory’s current rate, $13/hour, set in 2016
The Government of Nunavut is seeking feedback on its minimum wage rate. (Screenshot)
Nunavut’s Department of Justice is looking for feedback on the territory’s $13-per-hour minimum wage.
That rate was set in April 2016 and it could be time for an increase.
A minimum wage survey is now online and available in English, French, Inuktitut syllabics and Inuinnaqtun. The survey will remain open until Oct. 30.
The minimum wage rate is the lowest amount an employer can legally pay their employees. As of June 2019, minimum wage rates in Canada ranged from $15 in Alberta to $11.06 in Saskatchewan.
Across the North, Nunavut is in the middle of the pack, with Yukon Territory having the lowest minimum wage rate at $12.71 and the Northwest Territories with the highest at $13.46.
I assume that if Alberta has a min. wage of $15.00 and Ontario has a min. wage of $14.00; that would mean that Nunavut would need to consider a big wage increase.
Minimum wage increase would be good. This being said, there will be some issues. Issues that came up in April 2016, a lot of local emoloyees at some employers, especially stores, had their hours reduced and employees from the south had their hours increased. If the increase is to benefit local employees, it would be nice to see local employees benefit. Yes employees that come up to Nunavut should also benefit but a lot of the times employees from the south have more employee benefits from the same employer as local employees.
I think you will need to look hard to find anyone paying the minimum wage in Iqaluit. $13.00 an hour. Even the grocery stores don’t start people at that rate. Time for Nunavut to take a leadership position and move minimum wage to $16.00 per hour, which is $1.00 more then what grocery stores are paying. Then local employees will see a benefit and actually get a raise. Even if the minimum wage is raised to anywhere under $15.00 most people will not see a raise. Be a leader Nunavut, and take care of your people. Business will figure it out. $16.00 an hour will just mean more money spent in the community so business will gain anyway!
$13/hour is not enough to live on in Nunavut; I don’t think anybody would argue that. Even with 2 incomes working full time at that rate, that’s grossing $52,000/year before deductions. However, things start to get a little more complicated after that. Should the minimum wage be a living wage? With or without public housing? What is a livable wage in Nunavut? Without public housing, is it $30/hour? Or more? If you raise minimum wage to a living wage, let’s say $30/hour, then what about 16 year old high school kids who don’t have housing and living expenses? They have no need for that wage. Do you set a different minimum wage for adults and minors? Would that influence companies who would then look to hire more minors than adults who actually have expenses? There is currently no politician or bureaucrat smart enough and bold enough to look at the big picture and start taking significant progressive steps towards improvement.
Our (Nunavut) minimum wage should be increased to at least $18-20 dollar rage. Living in the north is expensive, Rent, Food, Stuff for our children/family. All the survey is asking about YOUR income and what YOU do for a living, more questions about your personal income than the minimum wage.
You’re right about the survey. It’s terrible.
A survey sounds like a great way to get feedback or this but it’s terrible. There are specialists and statistics to use. Lazy Nunavut Government.
Do what the school teachers, government workers, and all
the southern workers do, which is to get together and
FORM A UNION !!! Why do you think they are up here.
The H.B.C, THE NORTHERN, &a THE CO-OP, are making big
profit from your labour & sweat. Other outfits as well.
Go for it , or go too Hell.
People guessing they know something just adds to the confusion. Where do you gets such wacko ideas?
This is Nunavut, why are you trying to help people ?
Organize something which will waste a lot of taxpayers money,
and be of no use to anyone, apart from the highly paid experts
and everyone will love you for it. Ask Big Mac if you don’t
believe me.