What is a Minimum Wage?

Minimum wage is the basic salary that an employee should receive or the lowest compensation that an employer must offer an employee. This is a standard set by the government to eradicate poverty institute equality in its country. This mostly applies to the workers that do not have unions or organizations to help them implement their rights.

What is the minimum wage rate in Quebec, Canada?

The population of Quebec is nearly 838,000 in 2022, of which nearly 400,000 citizens are employed. The labor organizations and communities of Quebec have been requesting the government to increase their minimum hourly wage rate to 18 CAD per hour, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic.

In response to the popular demand, The Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Security headed by Jean Boulet set forth that from 1st May 2022, the minimum hourly wages of the laborers in Quebec, Canada will officially increase from 13.50 CAD to $14.25 CAD per hour. This is an increase by 0.75 CAD per hour which is 5.5% per hour.

What is an Alternative Minimum Wage and what is in Quebec, Canada?

There are some types of workers who receive commissions or tips directly from the customer, on top of their daily wages. Examples, bartenders or restaurant bearers. Their minimum wages are lower than that of a laborer as they have the possibility to receive an additional income.

In Quebec, it was 10.80 CAD per hour and effective May 1 2022, it was also increased to 11.40 CAD per hour. An increase by 0.60 CAD per hour, which is also 5.5% per hour.

What are the effects of the increase in Minimum Wage Rate in Quebec, Canada?

Government’s point of view

The ministry reported that the increase will have a positive impact on nearly 301,100 citizens of Quebec.

Business point of view

The COVID pandemic has had its impact not only on the laborers but also on the small and medium sized businesses. It has been reported that the small and medium scale organizations in Quebec have a liability baggage of around 108,000 CAD per SME. These business owners are now required to adopt the minimum wages that is an opportunity cost to pay off their debts.

Worker’s point of view

It was reported that the laborers feel that the increase is futile and does not even match up to the inflation. The increase does not equate to even 50% of what had been called out for (statistically 16.50%). Their purchasing power has been greatly hit due to the ever-increasing inflation and a nearly stagnant wage rate leading to poverty.

Minimum hourly wage rate in Quebec, Canada

In spite of a 5.5% increase in the hourly minimum wage rate, the Quebec workers are dissatisfied. The scenario is like a double-edged sword and by reading the overall situation it will not be wrong to infer that the government is taking measured and controlled steps to break the vicious cycle of poverty.