Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Over the past few months Members have talked a lot about the high cost of living. Gas prices at the pumps have skyrocketed, the cost of home heating fuel has increased dramatically, landlords are increasing rents, power rates are going up and groceries and other commodities are costing us more. But the NWT has not raised its minimum wage since December 23, 2003.
We have been at $8.25 for five years. For comparison purposes I would like to provide a few examples from other Canadian jurisdictions. In April of this year Alberta raised their minimum wage to $8.40. The Yukon went to $8.58, and Manitoba went to $8.50. Saskatchewan increased their minimum wage twice this year. It is now at $8.60, and they will increase it once again in 2009 to $9.25. Nunavut’s minimum wage is $10. Other provinces already have or will be increasing their minimum wage in 2008 or 2009, and some of them have established yearly increases going forward. Ontario will soon see a minimum wage of $10.25.
Yet in the NWT, where we have one of the highest costs of living in Canada, we have a minimum wage that has been fixed at $8.25 since 2003. The Premier in his Budget Address on May 22 of this year stated that for NWT residents, especially those in small and remote communities, living costs are among the highest in Canada. Prince Edward Island is the only province with a lower minimum wage than us. We have the second lowest minimum wage in all of Canada, unchanged since 2003, but our consumer price index has gone up by 8.3 per cent since 2003.
It is time for an adjustment, Mr. Speaker. A recent article in the local paper called Looking Back showed that five years ago, when our minimum wage went up to $8.25, people could not live on the minimum wage even with the increase. Managers suggested in 2003 that the minimum wage should be at least $9, yet here we are five years later and the minimum wage amount has not changed.
How can we talk about raising taxes when we haven’t raised the minimum wage in the last five years? I say we can’t. What we can do, Mr. Speaker, is plan for an increase to our minimum wage as soon as possible. I expect to see it reflected in the ’09–10 operations budget. Thank you.
Thank you, Ms. Bisaro. The honourable Member for Yellowknife Centre, Mr. Hawkins.
