Filibustered minimum wage cut bill passes second reading

Jun 8, 2019 | 11:25 AM

EDMONTON – The marathon debate over the Kenney government’s plan to cut the minimum wage for young people and change rules on calculating overtime pay is over, at least for now.

The legislature has passed second reading of Bill 2 more than a full day after debate began.

The Opposition NDP delayed the bill with a tactic known as a filibuster where members talk and talk.

The bill calls for rolling back the minimum wage for youth workers to $13 an hour from $15, starting June 26.

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It also proposes changes to banked overtime, allowing it to be calculated as straight time rather than time-and-a-half.

NDP house leader Deron Bilous says the bill is unfair and will have a big effect on people who work in the construction and energy industries.

Government House Leader Jason Nixon says the United Conservatives won the election on a promise to change workplace rules to encourage business investment.

The debate isn’t over.

Next week, Bill 2 will be examined in detail in committee before moving to third and final reading.

by The Canadian Press