Alberta’s minimum wage story is one of bold ambition, political pivoting, and, more recently, stagnation.
Back in 2015, under Premier Rachel Notley’s NDP government, the province’s minimum wage sat at $10.20 an hour. The plan? Raise it aggressively and set a new standard.
By October 1, 2018, Alberta had done just that — pushing the general minimum wage to $15.00 an hour. At the time, it was the highest in Canada.
But after that leap, things froze. There have been no increases since.
Fast Forward to 2025
Saskatchewan, once behind Alberta, is now set to raise its minimum wage to $15.35 on October 1. That move officially drops Alberta to the bottom of the provincial wage rankings.
Once a national leader, Alberta now risks being seen as the province that stopped moving.
Why Alberta Fell Behind
1. No Updates Since 2018
While other provinces built in annual or inflation-based adjustments, Alberta’s wage floor stayed put. As prices climbed and wages elsewhere rose, Alberta slipped — both in real and relative terms.
2. Higher Costs, Flat Pay
The cost of living didn’t freeze in 2018. Groceries, rent, transportation — all went up. But the minimum wage didn’t. That $15 just doesn’t stretch like it used to.
3. A Political Shift
When the UCP (United Conservative Party) took office in 2019, their focus shifted. The emphasis moved toward reducing business costs and promoting “market flexibility.”
That included a separate $13/hour youth wage for some workers under 18.
Critics say the government lost interest in revisiting the general rate, even as inflation climbed and other provinces adjusted.
4. The Rest of Canada Moved On
While Alberta held the line, provinces like B.C. and Ontario kept raising their wages — often linking increases to inflation. In June 2025, B.C.’s minimum wage hit $17.85/hour.
Compared to that, Alberta’s flat $15 looks increasingly outdated.
What This Means for Workers
Less Buying Power: Minimum wage earners in Alberta are getting squeezed. Their pay hasn’t kept up with the cost of living.
Falling Behind Peers: Most minimum wage workers across Canada now earn more than those in Alberta.
Mounting Pressure: Alberta is making headlines for all the wrong reasons — now known as the province with the lowest minimum wage in the country.
Rising Demands: Labour groups and opposition politicians are calling for a raise — and for automatic inflation indexing to prevent future backsliding.
Final Word
Alberta once led the country with an aggressive minimum wage policy. Now it lags behind. Not because it cut back — but because it stood still while everything else moved on.
When wages don’t keep up with inflation, standing still isn’t neutral. It’s falling behind.
