EDMONTON, AB: The NDP government should listen to the concerns of working families and back down from a dramatic minimum wage increase that is putting jobs and businesses at risk, the Wildrose Official Opposition said.
On Monday, Restaurants Canada warned the nearly 50 per cent hike from 2015 levels, on top of a hurting economy, will lead to the shutdown of even more businesses across the province. A new survey also suggests 61 per cent of Albertans think a minimum wage hike should be delayed.
“The NDP claims to be on the side of working families, but their policies are spurring even further job losses and uncertainty in communities right across the province,” Wildrose Leader Brian Jean said. “The NDP government has an opportunity to show pragmatism instead of sticking rigidly to ideology. It’s time for the government to follow the Wildrose lead and be on the side of job creation and stability for Albertans.”
Wildrose Shadow Jobs Minister Grant Hunter questioned why Labour Minister Christina Gray is even holding so-called consultation meetings across the province regarding the minimum wage hike if the government is committed to its timeline of hiking the minimum wage to $15 per hour by 2018.
“Employers, entrepreneurs and workers are looking for some sort of lifeline from the government to give them relief from a slate of policies that is making life across the province more difficult,” Hunter said. “Property tax hikes, a new carbon tax and a dramatic minimum wage increase are only hurting the vast majority of Albertans who are now feeling left behind by this NDP government. It’s time for the government to stop ignoring the concerns of Albertans and start listening.”