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Minimum wage expert panel

A panel of industry experts and professionals assessed Alberta’s minimum wage.

Overview

As part of government’s efforts to get Albertans back to work, an independent panel of experts assessed the province’s minimum wage.

Alberta’s minimum wage increased every year from 2015 to 2018, becoming the highest in the country when it reached $15/hour in October 2018.

Minimum wage changes from 2015 to 2018:

  • Oct. 1, 2015: $11.20 per hour (increase from $10.20). Liquor server rate of $10.70 per hour (increase from $9.20)
  • Oct. 1, 2016: $12.20 per hour. Liquor server rate of $10.70 per hour is eliminated
  • Oct. 1, 2017: $13.60 per hour
  • Oct. 1, 2018: $15 per hour

Timeline

  • Open

  • Results under review

  • Completed

    Report released March 2023

Who is listening

Ministry of Jobs, Economy and Northern Development

Panel mandate

The panel published all of the available economic data on the labour market impact of the minimum wage changes.

The experts also assessed whether hospitality industry workers who serve alcohol would benefit from a wage differential allowing them to work more hours.

The panel has finished their work and presented their report to government.

Panel members

Joseph Marchand, Chair

Joseph Marchand is associate professor of economics at the University of Alberta. He specializes in labour economics and has published research on the impacts of Alberta’s minimum wage increases. He actively contributes analytical pieces and economic commentary on various news media platforms.

Anindya Sen

Anindya Sen is a professor at the Department of Economics, University of Waterloo, where he has taught since 1998 and is the current director of Master of the Public Service program. His research interests are the economics of public policy, with an emphasis on estimating the statistical effects of government intervention. He has published research on the impacts of higher cigarette taxes on smoking, the effects of higher minimum wages on employment and poverty, the relationships between clearance rates and crime, and the consequences of incentive programs on electricity usage. His work on the effects of retail alcohol and marijuana deregulation has been acknowledged and cited in the National Post, The Globe and Mail, and the Toronto Star.

Mark von Schellwitz

Mark von Schellwitz is chairman of the Coalition of BC Businesses and vice-president (Western Canada) Restaurants Canada.

Marilyn Braun-Pollon

Marilyn Braun-Pollon is the vice-president, Western Canada & Agri-business with the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB). Working on behalf of small- and medium-sized business, Marilyn brings a wealth of experience and knowledge of government after spending a number of years working on the economic development side of both the provincial and federal governments. Marilyn earned a bachelor of administration degree from Trinity Western University with a minor in Communications.

Jason Stanton

Jason Stanton is a managing partner in his family’s company, The Running Room. The Running Room has more than 100 locations across Canada and the United States and is North America's largest chain of specialty running stores. Jason has been active in his community, sitting on various committees that include Kids with Cancer, Run for the Cure and the Retail Council of Canada.

Branko Culo

Branko Culo helps people looking for work through Express Employment, which connects job seekers and employers. Branko is involved with several Alberta based community organizations including the Rotary Club of Edmonton, the Entrepreneurs Organization and Crystal Kids Foundation.

Delphine Borger

Delphine Borger is a server who has worked at Blink for several years and understands the tipping system very well.

Rachel Donnelly

Rachel Donnelly is a post-secondary student and a server at Chop Steakhouse. She has worked in several other Edmonton area restaurants and has expressed concern with the lack of a server differential on her job.

Nicole Lycklama

Nicole Lycklama is a post-secondary student in psychology and a server at Blink Restaurant and Bar in Calgary. She has worked in other Calgary and area restaurants and has expressed concern with the lack of a server differential on her job.

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