The Government of Saskatchewan announced that it is holding the province's minimum wage steady at $9.25 until the Minimum Wage Board completes its next minimum wage review.
The minimum wage has increased 16.3 percent since January 1, 2008.
"Saskatchewan's minimum wage is the fourth highest in Canada following the proposed 2010 increases already announced in other jurisdictions," Labour Relations and Workplace Safety Minister Don Morgan said.
The decision to maintain the current wage level was based on a recommendation made by the Minimum Wage Board in its report to government following its 2009 review of the province's minimum wage.
"We have implemented significant increases in the minimum wage since we came to office," Morgan said. "Low income earners have also benefited from changes in income tax policy with 80,000 people being removed from the tax rolls."
The Board is mandated to review the minimum wage at least every two years under section 15 of The Labour Standards Act. Under the Act, the Board will be required to conduct its next review and issue a report to government by December 31, 2011.
"Saskatchewan's workers will continue to benefit from a competitive wage rate," Morgan said. "Maintaining the current rate also provides a stable planning environment for employers who can now project their long-term wage costs with greater certainty."
Minister Morgan also announced that he will be asking the Minimum Wage Board to undertake a more extensive review of the issue of indexation, and to report back by December 31.
"Indexation is a complex issue that deserves detailed and comprehensive consideration," Morgan said. "I look forward to the results of the Board's work on this issue."
