Minimum Wage Annual Survey
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Overview
The minimum wage rate in the Northwest Territories is now adjusted annually on September 1 using a formula based on the percentage changes in the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for Yellowknife and the average hourly wage (AHW) in the NWT for the preceding calendar year. This change was announced in 2022.
This means that by August 1 each year, the GNWT will announce any changes to the NWT minimum wage that will come into effect on September 1.
Have Your Say
In January 2024, the Government of the Northwest Territories released a public survey on the minimum wage, asking residents – including employees and employers - about the impacts of changes to the rate.
In total, 240 individuals completed the survey, including 199 employees and 31 employers.
The majority of respondents agreed with the minimum wage being adjusted annually based on statistical indicators. However, most employees felt that the increase to the minimum wage rate in 2023 using the new formula was too low. Employers were divided on how they felt about the 2023 adjustment. Respondents agreed that the cost of living is the most important factor when it comes to setting the minimum wage rate.
The GNWT will continue to seek feedback on the minimum wage rate through a public survey every year.
Background
The shift to annual formula-based adjustments is intended to:
- keep up with the increasing costs for NWT residents
- keep up with other jurisdictions’ minimum wage rates
- enable businesses to better plan for increases to the minimum wage rate
- help ensure the lowest earners receive a pay raise each year
- increase transparency in government decision-making
On September 1, 2023, the minimum wage rate in the Northwest Territories increased by $0.85, from $15.20 to $16.05 per hour.
The Minister of Education, Culture and Employment has the authority to determine and prescribe the minimum wage rate in the NWT, in accordance with the Employment Standards Act and Regulations.
Next Steps
The Department of Education, Culture and Employment (ECE) reviewed feedback from this engagement and published a What We Heard Report summarizing the results.
These results help ECE better understand the impacts of the annual adjustments to the minimum wage over the coming years as the formula is used.
On September 1, 2024, the minimum wage will increase from $16.05 to $16.70, which is an increase of 4%.
Cliquez ici pour consulter la présente page en français.
Overview
The minimum wage rate in the Northwest Territories is now adjusted annually on September 1 using a formula based on the percentage changes in the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for Yellowknife and the average hourly wage (AHW) in the NWT for the preceding calendar year. This change was announced in 2022.
This means that by August 1 each year, the GNWT will announce any changes to the NWT minimum wage that will come into effect on September 1.
Have Your Say
In January 2024, the Government of the Northwest Territories released a public survey on the minimum wage, asking residents – including employees and employers - about the impacts of changes to the rate.
In total, 240 individuals completed the survey, including 199 employees and 31 employers.
The majority of respondents agreed with the minimum wage being adjusted annually based on statistical indicators. However, most employees felt that the increase to the minimum wage rate in 2023 using the new formula was too low. Employers were divided on how they felt about the 2023 adjustment. Respondents agreed that the cost of living is the most important factor when it comes to setting the minimum wage rate.
The GNWT will continue to seek feedback on the minimum wage rate through a public survey every year.
Background
The shift to annual formula-based adjustments is intended to:
- keep up with the increasing costs for NWT residents
- keep up with other jurisdictions’ minimum wage rates
- enable businesses to better plan for increases to the minimum wage rate
- help ensure the lowest earners receive a pay raise each year
- increase transparency in government decision-making
On September 1, 2023, the minimum wage rate in the Northwest Territories increased by $0.85, from $15.20 to $16.05 per hour.
The Minister of Education, Culture and Employment has the authority to determine and prescribe the minimum wage rate in the NWT, in accordance with the Employment Standards Act and Regulations.
Next Steps
The Department of Education, Culture and Employment (ECE) reviewed feedback from this engagement and published a What We Heard Report summarizing the results.
These results help ECE better understand the impacts of the annual adjustments to the minimum wage over the coming years as the formula is used.
On September 1, 2024, the minimum wage will increase from $16.05 to $16.70, which is an increase of 4%.
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CLOSED: This survey has concluded.
The Department of Education, Culture and Employment invites you to take a short survey on the minimum wage rate in the Northwest Territories. This survey will take approximately five minutes. Your identity will be kept anonymous. General results of the survey will be reported on annually.
From 2013 to 2022, a Minimum Wage Committee, made up of business, labour and community organizations in the NWT, conducted reviews of the minimum wage every two years. The Committee produced reports in 2014, 2017 and 2020, and over that time the minimum wage increased from $10.00 to $15.20 per hour.
In 2022, the department announced changes to the way the minimum wage is determined.
Now the minimum wage is adjusted annually using a formula based on the percentage change in the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for Yellowknife and the percentage change in the average hourly wage (AHW) in the NWT for the preceding calendar year.
On September 1, 2023, the minimum wage rate in the Northwest Territories increased by $0.85, from $15.20 to $16.05 per hour, with the new formula.
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Status
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Open
Minimum Wage Annual Survey has finished this stageThis engagement was open from January 3 to January 31, 2024.
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Under Review
Minimum Wage Annual Survey has finished this stage -
Completed
Minimum Wage Annual Survey is currently at this stage
