Democracy Gone Astray

Democracy, being a human construct, needs to be thought of as directionality rather than an object. As such, to understand it requires not so much a description of existing structures and/or other related phenomena but a declaration of intentionality.
This blog aims at creating labeled lists of published infringements of such intentionality, of points in time where democracy strays from its intended directionality. In addition to outright infringements, this blog also collects important contemporary information and/or discussions that impact our socio-political landscape.

All the posts here were published in the electronic media – main-stream as well as fringe, and maintain links to the original texts.

[NOTE: Due to changes I haven't caught on time in the blogging software, all of the 'Original Article' links were nullified between September 11, 2012 and December 11, 2012. My apologies.]

Friday, May 31, 2013

Alberta Minimum Wage Up 20 Cents, But Still The Lowest In Canada

EDMONTON - Alberta's minimum wage is increasing by two dimes at the end of August and will remain the lowest in the country.

Effective Sept. 1, the 29,300 workers on the lowest end of the pay scale will earn $9.95 an hour.

The liquor server wage will remain unchanged at $9.05 an hour.

Government figures show Nunavut's minimum wage is the highest in Canada at $11 an hour.

Minimum wage workers in Ontario and British Columbia make $10.25 an hour, while minimum wage in Saskatchewan is $10.

The Alberta government says its overall wage may be the lowest, but it is the second highest — behind only B.C. — after personal exemptions and taxes are factored in.

"We know that only 1.8 per cent of employees in Alberta earn minimum wage," Human Services Minister Dave Hancock said in a statement.

"After taxes, Alberta’s minimum wage is the second highest amongst Canadian provinces and provides a good starting point for entering the workforce. From this starting point, we want to see these workers obtain the skills and experiences to advance their careers."

The size of the increase is determined by a formula that considers average weekly earnings in the province and the consumer price index.

The government says the weekly minimum wage for real estate agents, car salespeople and similar workers who are on commission will rise to $397. The monthly minimum wage for live-in employees, such as nannies, will rise to $1,893.

Original Article
Source: huffingtonpost.ca
Author: CP

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