Marci cho, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I'd like to ask the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment questions on the minimum wage. Mr. Speaker, I'd like to just as a refresher ask the Minister what the minimum wage is today in the NWT? Thank you.
Masi. Minister of Education, Culture and Employment.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Currently, our minimum wage in the Northwest Territories is $12.50 an hour. Back in the 17th Assembly, 2014, the Minimum Wage Committee was setup of government officials, the business sector, non-governmental organizations, as well as some representatives from our most northern communities that sat down also with the NWT Chamber of Commerce and NWT Federation of Labour. They had their discussions and recommendation made to the government was that we increase our minimum wage from $10.00 an hour to $12.50 an hour, and I believe on June 1, 2015 it took effect. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I'd like to ask the Minister if there's any plan or schedule for the minimum wage to change in the near future? Thank you.
During those recommendations it was also brought forward that a review of the minimum wage would happen every two years. So seeing how we're coming up into the second year, June 1, 2017, we will do another review of the minimum wage, we will look at recommendations that were brought from the last report, and once again go out and engage and consult with all the stakeholders that were on the Minimum Wage Committee previous.
Mr. Speaker, I was wondering if the Minister can commit to providing committee, this side of the House, with any results that he may have during discussions with small business on the impacts of minimum wage?
Yes, we can get those preliminary results, we can also look at maybe developing a survey to our small businesses. I know it was a big concern when we're going through the review and also having those discussions in this House in the previous government about the minimum wage and the impact it would have on small business. But we can try to get that information and contact some of our stakeholders who gave that input and share it with committee.
Masi. Oral questions. Member for Tu Nedhe-Wiilideh.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I'd like to ask the Minister if he can commit to providing the impacts on minimum wage increases, if increases were recommended, on the minimum wage earners and how that impacts our government in the area of social programs that we often extend to individuals that are at a minimum wage? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
It's been about 16 months since we implemented the new minimum wage throughout the Northwest Territories. I'm sure we have some information, some data. As well, you know, we do continue to promote our income assistance program and also any support that we can give to low income families that might need some assistance. But we can look at trying to get some of that preliminary information and share it with Members. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Oral questions. Member for Nahendeh.
