Quality, dependable jobs are a driver of a strong economy. Canada’s prosperity and stability depend on every Canadian having a fair chance to succeed. Yet, some Canadians find themselves working part-time, temporary or low-wage jobs—sometimes more than one—in order to support themselves and their families.
In Budget 2021, the Government of Canada proposed to establish a federal minimum wage of $15 per hour, rising with inflation. Today, the Government is announcing that this important change will come into effect on December 29, 2021, following Royal Assent to Budget Implementation Act, 2021, No. 1. The changes will affect workers in the federally regulated private sector and represent an important step towards reducing poverty and inequality.
The COVID-19 pandemic has shone a light on the essential work done by low-wage workers. Airline agents helped stranded Canadians get back to the country, bank tellers helped us handle the financial impacts of business closures, and workers in the trucking industry got produce and essential goods into our neighbourhood stores. Without them, the last year would have looked very different.
A freestanding federal minimum wage was recommended by the Expert Panel on Modern Federal Labour Standards in 2019. It also aligns with recent changes that ensure employees in the federally regulated private sector have a robust and modern set of labour standards that reflect the realities of 21st century workplaces. Unions and labour groups have also played an important part in raising awareness about the importance of such measures, which will help improve the lives of low-wage workers and their families.
As we look to Canada’s economic recovery from this pandemic, this is an important step forward to ensure that we build back better.
Quotes
“Every worker deserves dignity and honest pay for a hard day’s work. Our Government has moved forward with a $15 per hour federal minimum wage because we know that it is a powerful tool when it comes to fighting poverty and improving the well-being of lower-income families and communities as a whole. Thousands of hard-working Canadians will see their incomes rise to at least $15 per hour as a result of this change, helping them with things like groceries, rent, sports or extracurricular activities for their kids.”
– Minister of Labour, Filomena Tassi
Quick facts
- The Prime Minister gave the Minister of Labour a mandate to improve labour protections in the Canada Labour Code, including increasing the federal minimum wage to at least $15 per hour.
- The Expert Panel on Modern Federal Labour Standards studied, consulted and made recommendations on: federal minimum wage; labour standards protections for non-standard workers; the “right to disconnect” outside of work hours; the access and portability of benefits; and a collective voice for non-unionized workers.
- Budget 2021 is an inclusive plan that takes action to break down barriers to full economic participation for all Canadians. This includes enriching the Canada Workers Benefit, which will support about 1 million more Canadians and lift nearly 100,000 people out of poverty. This measure will result in additional support of $8.9 billion over six years for Canada’s low-wage workers.
- The federally regulated private sector includes industries such as interprovincial and international transportation, telecommunications, banking, uranium mining, most federal Crown corporations, grain services and Indigenous band councils.
Associated links
Contacts
For media enquiries, please contact:
Rachel Rappaport
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of Labour, Filomena Tassi
613-790-2087
rachel.rappaport@labour-travail.gc.ca
Media Relations Office
Employment and Social Development Canada
819-994-5559
media@hrsdc-rhdcc.gc.ca
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