Ottawa:
The Canadian government has increased the federal minimum wage rate for private sector workers. The move, which is implemented on 1 April, will benefit thousands of Indian students and professionals working in Fedorly regulated areas in Canada, including banking, interpreting transportation and telecommunications industries.
Canada has increased the minimum wage by $ 17.30 from Canadian dollars to 2.4 percent, which is $ 17.75 per hour. The move is part of Canada’s annual consumer price index, which adjusts the federal minimum wage rate each year on 1 April relative to the previous calendar year.
Canada’s Employment, Work Force Development and Labor Minister Steven McKinon said in a statement, “Federal minimum wages bring equally stability and certainty for Canadian workers and businesses and help reduce income inequality in the board. Today’s growth brings us a step closer to create a more fair economy.”
This change is also applied to the Canadian citizens as well as immigrants, and employers are asked to update their payroll system to reflect the new rate and ensure that all employees receive advanced salary, including interns.
This 45-percent increase will benefit around 26,000 workers in federally regulated areas and is part of Canada’s efforts to ensure that wages maintains synergy with inflation, which have been increasing continuously over the years. The rising inflation was one of the major criticisms against the Justin Trudeau government and emerged as a major issue as a campaign of parties for Canadian elections in 2025.
Apart from the federal increase, at least four provinces are also increasing their minimum wages to help workers deal with inflation. According to the Immigration Consulting firm Imigankanada, Nova Scotia is increasing its rate by $ 15.65 per hour, above $ 15.30, Newfoundland and Labrador are increasing their rate by $ 16.00 per hour.
Indian in Canada
The increase of wages in Canada as a relief for many Indian migrants in Canada amid growing food and living costs. According to the 2021 census organized by the Statistics Canada, 3.7 percent of the Canadian population, which included about 1.3 million persons, identified its ethnic origin as Indians.
Canada is also one of the most preferred sites for Indian students to study higher studies, many of which are trained to earn additional funds in these federally regulated areas. This step will also benefit these students.