Yukon increasing minimum wage but some say it's still not enough

Yukoners working a minimum wage job will soon see a few more dollars on their paycheques.

Currently the territory's minimum wage is set at $16.77 per hour. As of April 1, it will be increased by $0.82 bringing it up to an hourly rate of $17.59.

In a press release the Government of Yukon said the increase is based on the 2023 Consumer Price Index for Whitehorse, which is 4.9 per cent.

The consumer price index measures the average change in costs that consumers encounter.

It also said that "a minimum wage tied to inflation, as with other social supports, aims to help reduce poverty, increase affordability and address income inequality across the territory."

Some Yukoners said the increase is a good thing, but they don't think it will reduce poverty, or increase affordability in the territory.

Watson Lake resident Erin Labonte calls herself a "temporary community worker."

"I've worked in just about every business in my community," she told CBC News in a recent interview.

"I do catering gigs and stuff like that. My bare minimum is $25 an hour. If you are looking for anybody with any kind of experience what-so-ever anything under $20 an hour is embarrassing." 

She said the cost of living in the Yukon is rising, and the minimum wage should reflect that.

Labonte shared she recently saw an ad to rent a single room in Whitehorse for $1,200 a month.

She said it's hard to believe anyone working a minimum wage job, even with the increase, would be able to afford rent like that and pay for groceries, and personal bills, let alone extra curricular activities.

Hidden Valley resident Margaret Dumkee echoed Labonte's feelings.

"People should be paid equitably and fairly for the work that they're doing," she said. "It should allow them to meet the minimum cost of living."