Mulcair calls for hike to minimum wage

EDMONTON — A federal minimum wage should be high enough to give families enough money for a decent standard of living — which means higher than the average minimum wage in most provinces, NDP leader Tom Mulcair says.

“It’s first and foremost a question ... of having your principles backed up by something concrete,” Mulcair told reporters in Edmonton on Wednesday.

“Our principle is we like to see, as much as possible, people earning something that will in most circumstances certainly give them a better chance.”

Mulcair stopped short of saying just how high that should be. The figure is still being debated by his MPs — and is being reviewed by staff who are analyzing how an increase could be phased in — should the NDP form government next year.

Any increase, however, would have little direct impact: Statistics Canada research shows that less than one per cent of the approximately 820,000 workers in companies who fall under federal jurisdiction, such as banks and Crown corporations, earn minimum wage.

Their wages are tied to the minimum wages in the provinces in which they work, figures that are set by the provinces. The decision to tie the federal minimum to provincial numbers was made in 1996.

Mulcair said the NDP plans to push the issue as a priority, even though it would only affect a few workers.