Manitoba increasing minimum wage in October

Going up to $10.70 per hour

Manitoba is increasing the minimum wage Oct. 1 to $10.70 per hour.

"We have increased the minimum wage every year since 2000. This most recent increase builds on our long-term plan to provide the lowest wage earners increased purchasing power so they can better provide for themselves and their families," said Labour and Immigration Minister Erna Braun. "It also contributes to a vibrant labour market that will help Manitoba businesses attract and retain workers."

The increase of 25 cents per hour brings the current minimum wage to $10.70 from $10.45 and will put Manitoba the fourth highest among other Canadian jurisdictions.

To keep the province competitive for businesses, the Manitoba government has eliminated the small business tax. In 1999, Manitoba had the highest small business tax rate in Canada, said Braun, adding that the province is the only one in the country to have completely eliminated its small business tax, removing 12,000 businesses from the tax rolls and saving each small business owner $55,000 every year.

Information on the minimum wage and other employment standards is available at:www.gov.mb.ca/labour/standards.

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