And some analysts believe the overall financial and social effect of a higher minimum wage will be minimal. Bartholomew-Saunders says the living wage for the region is roughly $16 an hour, so this provincial increase is closer to that target, especially when compared to the current minimum wage of $11.40. One concern is that part-time workers might have their hours cut when the mandatory wage increase comes through, ensuring their incomes don't actually go up. "We won't see big impact on poverty," she said, largely because most minimum wage earners are "very young or very old." The higher minimum wage could be a challenge for some small businesses, she said, but shouldn't hurt larger companies.

Source: CBC News May 31, 2017 16:18 UTC