Effective April 1, 2023, the Yukon’s minimum wage will increase from $15.70 to $16.77 per hour. This increase is based on the 2022 Consumer Price Index for Whitehorse which is 6.8 per cent.
The rise in inflation is increasing costs of everyday life for all Yukoners. This increase will help people earning minimum wage to afford necessities. It will also help businesses attract and retain employees.
Across Canada, indeed around the world, 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.
Minister of Community Services Richard Mostyn
With prices of essential goods skyrocketing, it’s getting harder and harder for folks to make ends meet, let alone save for the future. 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.
Leader of the Yukon NDP Kate White
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 Government of Canada raised the federal minimum wage to $15.55 an hour on April 1, 2022.
According to 2021 Yukon Employment and Skills survey data, 887 of 22,758 (or four per cent) of employed people in the Yukon reported earning a minimum wage in the fall of 2021.
Gross annual salary based for a worker earning minimum wage at 40 hours per week would increase to $34,811.60 after April 1, 2023.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Government of Yukon invested $15 million over three years to support the tourism sector through the Tourism Relief and Recovery Plan, increases to the Tourism Cooperative Marketing Fund for the 2020–21 and 2021–22 fiscal years, 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 of Yukon 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 867-667-5944 or eso@yukon.ca.
Renée Francoeur
Cabinet Communications
867-334-9194
renee.francoeur@yukon.ca
Pascaline Etter
Yukon NDP Caucus
867-393-7573
Pascaline.Etter@yla.gov.yk.ca
Bonnie Venton Ross
Communications, Community Services
867-332-5513
bonnie.ventonross@yukon.ca