[Canada] Quebec may get 2021 minimum wage rise but only 40 cents

On December 4, in a National Assembly of Quebec sitting Minister of Finance Éric Girard said he and Jean Boulet - the minister of labour - are studying the recommendation for an annual increase in the minimum wage. However, M. Girard clarified that the hourly minimum will not go up to $15 in 2021, as some - including the Québec solidaire party - would like. Instead, MTL reports, it is only likely to increase by about 40 cents. (Links via original reporting)

Quebec's hourly minimum wage is currently $13.10 which, according to the CAQ, is a rate said to achieve a "50 per cent ratio between the general minimum wage rate and the average hourly wage." M. Girard said that because the average hourly wage in Quebec is going up by approximately 3 per cent right now, Quebec's minimum wage would follow suit, bringing it up to $13.50 an hour. (Links via original reporting)

"The issue of minimum wages is extremely important," M. Girard said in the sitting.

"But it has to be said, in the current economic conditions, the average hourly wage is going up by [just] over 3 per cent. So it's in the same order of magnitude that we're looking at increasing the minimum wage." 

Alexandre Leduc - Quebec solidaire's elected official for Hochelaga-Maisonneuve - reportedly protested Girard's decision, pointing out that large Quebec businesses continue to rack up profits during the pandemic while front line workers see little in return. 

"It is shameful. We owe [workers] much more than that," M. Leduc said.

"The minister of labour told me, 'Be patient, Alexandre, we'll get there one day, at $15 an hour.' Well, that was two years ago."

On December 4, in a National Assembly of Quebec sitting Minister of Finance Éric Girard said he and Jean Boulet - the minister of labour - are studying the recommendation for an annual increase in the minimum wage. However, M. Girard clarified that the hourly minimum will not go up to $15 in 2021, as some - including the Québec solidaire party - would like. Instead, MTL reports, it is only likely to increase by about 40 cents. (Links via original reporting)

Quebec's hourly minimum wage is currently $13.10 which, according to the CAQ, is a rate said to achieve a "50 per cent ratio between the general minimum wage rate and the average hourly wage." M. Girard said that because the average hourly wage in Quebec is going up by approximately 3 per cent right now, Quebec's minimum wage would follow suit, bringing it up to $13.50 an hour. (Links via original reporting)

"The issue of minimum wages is extremely important," M. Girard said in the sitting.

"But it has to be said, in the current economic conditions, the average hourly wage is going up by [just] over 3 per cent. So it's in the same order of magnitude that we're looking at increasing the minimum wage." 

Alexandre Leduc - Quebec solidaire's elected official for Hochelaga-Maisonneuve - reportedly protested Girard's decision, pointing out that large Quebec businesses continue to rack up profits during the pandemic while front line workers see little in return. 

"It is shameful. We owe [workers] much more than that," M. Leduc said.

"The minister of labour told me, 'Be patient, Alexandre, we'll get there one day, at $15 an hour.' Well, that was two years ago."