Saskatchewan’s minimum wage has increased 1.1 per cent since 2017, the lowest increase in all of Canada.
The Canadian average is an increase of 4.79 per cent.
NDP Leader Ryan Meili says it’s important to contrast that with the growth of the cost of living at 2.7 per cent, so it’s costing more to live and the minimum wage increase isn’t keeping up.
That’s why the NDP promises to raise minimum wage to $15 per hour if elected.
He explains that business owners will find a higher minimum wage means more spending, so there will be more investment in the economy.
Studies have shown if you drive up wages, businesses do better.
He says, “no one has been able to show me that when people have less money the economy is going to do better”.
There has been talk that the Sask Party might call a spring election rather than the scheduled October date and Meili says if that happens, the NDP will be ready.
He describes this election’s candidate process as a great phenomenon where nominations are happening quickly and there are more contested seats compared to the last election.