It's a topic that's been met with plenty of controversy across the province but nevertheless the Government of Saskatchewan has announced effective September 1 - albeit slightly - minimum wage will be on the rise.
Labour Relations and Workplace Safety Minister Don Morgan has announced the minimum wage will increase from $9.25 to $9.50 per hour.
Inflation rates are on the rise. Saskatchewan is no longer the cheapest place to reside and that means lower income earners need to make more to survive, but what will that mean in turn for small business owners in the province?
While most say they try to offer competitive wages that will help them attract and retain good staff it can be tough task given the competition in today's marketplace. Add to that an increase to minimum wage and many say it will force small businesses to look for ways to absorb the cost through measures such as reduced hours, reduced training, or even job cuts
"Too low, and it fails to address the basic needs of those dependent on unskilled work. Too high, and it kills jobs and creates an unsafe and uncontrolled underground economy, says the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB).
Some small business owners believe increasing the basic personal exemption is the most effective way to increase the amount of take home pay to low-income earners.
The government says it will continue to review the minimum wage in the years ahead and make adjustments as appropriate. The Minimum Wage Board is required by legislation to review the minimum wage and report to the government every two years.
"Our government is also helping low income earners by lowering taxes," Morgan says. "We have cut income taxes for minimum wage earners by hundreds of dollars a year and as a result, thousands of minimum wage earners no longer pay any provincial income tax."
It's a tough call to find a balance but something has to give. Costs are going up and if people are to afford to live, at the end of the day they need more money in their pockets.
