Alberta NDP proposes $18 minimum wage, tip protection for service workers
Over three years, Alberta would raise the minimum wage from current levels; the party also promises legislation to prevent tip skimming.
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Alberta's Official Opposition introduced a plan Monday to raise the province's minimum wage to $18 an hour over three years and protect workers' tips from being pooled with management—a gap in Alberta labour law.
The NDP would immediately increase the minimum wage to $16 an hour, followed by annual increases of $1 an hour for two years until reaching $18, then index it to inflation. Managers and owners would be excluded from tip pools unless they perform the same duties as staff. The party also plans to eliminate the youth minimum wage, currently set at $13 an hour.
Calgary NDP MLA Kathleen Ganley said the party has heard from service workers struggling to afford basics. "While costs have ballooned, wages haven't kept up, and that means that many people are making the choice between food and rent," she said during a news conference Monday at Tubby's Bar. Ganley noted that Alberta is one of few provinces without legislation ensuring workers keep their tips: "Tip protection is about fairness. It's fairness to workers, but it's also fairness to customers who think that the money they're tipping is going to make somebody's life just a little bit easier."
NDP Leader Naheed Nenshi said those working the Calgary Stampede, July 3 to 12, many of whom are young, need fair treatment. "The UCP is taking advantage of these workers," he said. The next provincial election is scheduled for October 2027.
