The Labour and Immigration Minister Jennifer Howard announced the minimum wage in Manitoba will increase from $9.50 to $10.00 an hour effective Oct. 1, 2012.

By increasing the minimum wage, we are strengthening the purchasing power of minimum-wage earners across the province,” said Howard.  “Manitoba has one of the strongest labour markets in the country and the second-lowest unemployment rate.  At the same time, revenues continue to rise in most industries, including restaurant and retail, where many employees earn a minimum wage.”

In the past three years the province has aggressively issued three other wage increases; May 1, 2009 $8.50 to $8.75, Oct. 1 2009 $8.75 to $9.00 and Oct. 1, 2010 $9.00 to $9.50.

The minister said the increase is good for businesses because it helps attract and retain workers, a concern for industry and for rural Manitoba in times of tight labour markets.

The 50-cent increase places Manitoba just above the average Canadian minimum hourly wage and amongst seven provinces with a minimum wage in excess of $10 an hour.