Effective April 1, the Yukon’s minimum wage will rise from $15.70 to $16.77 per hour, it was announced today.

The gross annual salary for a worker earning minimum wage at 40 hours per week will increase to $34,811.60 after April 1.

This increase is based on the 2022 Consumer Price Index for Whitehorse (6.8 per cent).

“The rise in inflation is increasing costs of everyday life for all Yukoners,” the Yukon government said in a statement.

“This increase will help people earning minimum wage to afford necessities. It will also help businesses attract and retain employees.”

Across Canada and around the world, said Community Services Minister Richard Mostyn, “inflation is increasing the cost of goods, services and food.

“Our government is committed to making life more affordable for Yukoners. This minimum-wage increase, linked to the annual rise in the Yukon’s Consumer Price Index, will help the Yukon’s lowest-paid workers during these difficult inflationary times.”

This increase aligns with other jurisdictions that have already raised their hourly minimum wage above $15.

British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut all have minimum wages at or above $15 per hour.

The federal government raised the federal minimum wage to $15.55 an hour on April 1, 2022.

“With prices of essential goods skyrocketing, it’s getting harder and harder for folks to make ends meet, let alone save for the future,” said NDP Leader Kate White.

“Increasing the minimum wage to inflation is just fair – and it will help people with the lowest pay in the Yukon to afford basic necessities.

“I’m proud of the work we have done to ensure Yukoners are able to live with dignity.”

According to 2021 Yukon Employment and Skills survey data, 887 of 22,758 (or four per cent) of employed persons in the Yukon reported earning a minimum wage in the fall of 2021.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Yukon government invested $15 million over three years to support the tourism sector through the Tourism Relief and Recovery Plan, and increased the Tourism Cooperative Marketing Fund for the 2020/21 and 2021/22 fiscal years.

It also provided funding relief to non-profit organizations in the tourism and culture sectors through the Culture and Tourism Non-Profit Sector Supplement, and introduced a nation-leading economic stimulus package to support local businesses impacted by COVID-19.

The government also extended the Temporary Paid Sick Leave Rebate to March 31, 2023.

The rebate reimburses employers who offer their employees paid sick leave to manage COVID-19 symptoms, to care for family with COVID-19 symptoms or isolate due to a public health order.

According to 2021 Yukon Employment and Skills Survey data, the overall average wage for Yukon workers is $34.85 per hour.

Employees and employers who have questions about the increase can contact the Employment Standards Office at 667-5944 or eso@yukon.ca.