The GNWT is officially raising the minimum wage.
Coming into effect on September 1st, the minimum wage in the NWT will officially be raised from $16.05 to $16.70 per hour. This change is part of the GNWT’s mandate to make sure that wages rise to meet the increasing cost of living demands.
The update was made using a formula based on the Consumer Price Index, combined with the average hourly wage that existed in 2023. The formula was updated in 2022 to try and provide reliable increases to the minimum wage to give stability and certainty to northern businesses.
Caitlin Cleveland, the Minister of Education Culture and Employment, said in a statement that “this is the second year that the Northwest Territories has adjusted the minimum wage using a new calculation that results in predictable annual increases. This improved method helps those earning minimum wage keep up with the cost of living in the territory while supporting businesses in attracting and retaining employees.”
A public survey was conducted in January of this year, which found that there was broad support for annual adjustments to the wage, with many respondents emphasizing the importance of aligning the wage rate with the cost of living. Other respondents indicated that the raise that occurred in 2023 was too low.
