Minimum wage rises in 5 provinces today

Thousands of workers in five provinces across Canada get a raise on Thursday.

Effective Oct.1, the minimum wage goes upin Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario and Newfoundland and Labrador.

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Alberta workers will see the biggest jump, with an additional $1 an hour, as the rate increases from $10.20 to $11.20.

Since June, the province had beentied with Saskatchewanfor the lowest minimum wage in the country.

But with Saskatchewan raising its minimum pay from $10.20 perhour to $10.50, New Brunswick's $10.30 an hournow becomes the lowest in Canada at least until 2017, when it pledgesto increase the rate to $11.

Ontario and Newfoundland and Labrador are both increasing their minimum hourly wages by 25 cents on Thursday, bringing Ontario's rate up to $11.25 and Newfoundland and Labrador's up to $10.50.

Manitoba's minimum wage is rising from $10.70 to $11.

The Northwest Territoriesretains the highestminimum wage in the country: $12.50 an hour. It'sa status N.W.T.hasn't held for long.A$2.50 anhour increase that took effect June 1 propelled the territory'sminimumwage from the lowest to the highest in Canada.

Some provinces also have lower minimum wages for workers who serve liquor, students under age 18, or if workers get tips.