Minimum wage hike coming, Sask. premier says

Premier Scott Moe says Saskatchewancould soon see a "substantial" increase to the minimum wage.

Moe shared that information during one of his answers Monday in question period.

He said the governmentis looking for ways to support people on minimum wage and isactively considering a "market-based adjustment."

Saskatchewan currently has the lowest minimum wage in Canada at $11.81. In Alberta, it's $15.

The province has a formula based on the inflation rate which dictates how much the wage increases annually.

Moe says after the proposed one-time hike, Saskatchewan would go back to the following the formula.

Before thelast hike in October, the minimum wage was $11.45.

In recent years, the Opposition and labour groups have pushed for a $15 per hour minimum.

Moe says the increase will be "substantial" but would not give any further details on when an announcement would be made or how big the hikewill be.

Moe says the government will be consulting with business and labour groups. He says the increase is needed because of inflationary pressures at the moment.

NDP critic Nicole Sarauer saidthe timing of the announcement was unusual, withstakeholderslike the Saskatchewan Federation of Labour receivingno advance warning it was coming.

She accused Moe of sending up a trial balloon in order to "change the channel" and will wait to see what kind of increase comes out of this.