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By Lisa Johnson, The Canadian Press

Provincial Politics

Alberta to have the lowest minimum wage in Canada as of Oct. 1 as NDP calls for boost

Sep 22, 2025 | 2:59 PM

The province of Alberta, once a national leader in minimum wage, is set to soon have the lowest such pay rate in Canada.

The current rate of $15 an hour was set in 2018 by then-premier Rachel Notley’s NDP government, making it the highest minimum wage in Canada.

But Alberta has not adjusted the rate since while other provinces have boosted theirs.

On Oct. 1, Saskatchewan is set to increase its minimum wage to $15.35 an hour from $15, a move that will officially make Alberta’s rate the lowest in Canada.

Alberta Opposition NDP Leader Naheed Nenshi says Albertans coping with high costs need help.

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“Albertans are facing soaring costs for everything from groceries to rent, and their paycheques are increasingly strained as they try to make ends meet,” said Nenshi in a media release. “The best way to help Albertans right now is to make sure our province doesn’t have the lowest minimum wage in the country.”

Nenshi urged Smith’s United Conservative government to boost the minimum wage and index it to inflation.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 22, 2025.