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Winnipeg Free Press - ONLINE EDITION

Minimum wage to jump to $9

By: Staff Writer

23/12/2008 11:52 AM | Comments: 9

Manitoba’s minimum wage will go up to $9 an hour by the end of 2009, the province said today.

The minimum rate goes up by 25 cents May 1 and another 25 cents Oct. 1.

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The staggered increase will be the ninth hike in a row.

The Doer government has steadily increased the rate from $6 an hour in 1999 to make the minimum rate more reflective of the cost of living and business tax cuts. Since 1999, the small business tax rate has been cut by 75 per cent and the corporate income tax has been reduced by nearly 30 per cent.

The last increase took effect last April when the rate went up to $8.50 from $8 an hour.

Shannon Martin, Manitoba director of the Canadian Federation of Independent Business, said the hike was not surprising.

"The government essentially waited until Christmas eve to make this announcement, hoping that any voices of dissension would get lost in the holiday din," he said. " Considering the turbulent economic times we find ourselves in, it is unfortunate the government chose to increase minimum wage to a level that simply can’t be justified."

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9 Commentscomment icon

I think it is increasingly frustrating as I too have worked hard to get where I am. I have worked for minimum wage so I do understand the annoyance but I was in High School when I did it! People need to take responsibility and get a better job. It angered me when I read people complaining that they can't buy a house and a car on minimum wage, you think? I make decent money and I still yet to purchase a house so don't sit there and tell me someone on minimum wage whom likely did not finish high school deseves to get raises all the time. When I want a raise I have to go to my Boss and explain not why what I make is not enough but why I deserve to make more. I don't have the Government fighting for me.

Not to be a scrooge, but if you have worked at the same job for more than 6 months, not including the food service community, and you are still making minimum wage, then you have a problem. It is not the government's job to make sure you can make a living, it is your job to go out, get an education which the govmt will help you with, and earn the wage that your job demands. Edited.

What about the small business owners? Just try to think of what this is doing to payroll costs at mom-and-pop operations. It can't be easy. If YOU don't want to make minimum wage do something about it!

I have to admit, as someone who has worked my butt off to get a wage I deserve, to live comfortably as a single person (no children, no husband), I get nothing in return as a tax cut. None of these tax cuts benefit people that have furthered their education, landed a great paying job. You want more money, go out and make a difference and then lets talk!

It won't be the businessmen who pay. They will simply go out of business if the venture is no longer profitable. The money for the wage raise will come from consumers when businessmen raise prices to cover additional costs. I suffered sticker shock recently when I ordered a coffee and cinnamon bun and the cost was over $5 at a popular local restaurant. Next time I go I will expect to pay even more. Minimum wage laws are politically popular but economically unsound. It is all the jobs never created that hurt the economy the worst. Where are all the movie ushers and elevator operators we used to see? Their labor was priced out of the market. What about jobs never created as entrepreneurs find it ever more difficult to start up their own small business due to labor costs. Should we complain when the next textile factory closes down and moves overseas to take advantage of cheap labor when the laws drive the entrepreneurs away? Minimum wage laws pull on our emotional heartstrings but are economically speaking counter productive to job creation as well as wealth creation.

Do something with your life if you don't want to make minimum wage.

I hope everyone is as sick and tired of the Business community whining when working people get thrown a few cents. Ms. Martin and her cronies have received millions of dollars in tax breaks in the past few years. God forbid working people actually start to climb the ladder of equal pay for equal work. This minimal hike CAN be justified. YOU try working for minimum wage Shannon then you can whine about the justification. Thank You Premier Doer. Edited.

Minimum wage has a long way to go. Your still struggling to pay for the bare necessities at $9/hr. Not to mention if you want to be able to afford a house and a car at that point a single person would need $15/hr as a minimum.

Shannon Martin should try supporting a family on $8.50 an hour before she speaks about wage levels not being justified.

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