by Lorraine Carpenter, Local Journalism Initiative reporter
As announced by the Quebec government on Feb. 1, minimum wage in the province increased today by 50 cents per hour to $15.75. Approximately 207,500 workers in the province will be affected by this change.
Québec Solidaire MNA Alexandre Leduc, who represents Hochelaga-Maisonneuve, called the announced increase “not sufficient” and “ridiculous,” given that it corresponds to a 3% increase in the minimum wage, which is less than the current rate of inflation of 3.6% in Quebec.
In a press conference, Quebec Labour Minister Jean Boulet said today’s increases raises the minimum wage to roughly half the average hourly pay for workers in Quebec, which is the provincial government’s goal.