It's here: Alberta's minimum wage officially becomes $12.20 on Saturday

The first of three minimum wage hikes is coming to effect in Alberta Saturday, October 1.

As officially announced earlier this month, the wage hike will happen in gradual steps. First an increase to $12.20 an hour on October 1,2016 then an increase to $13.60 an hour on October 1, 2017, before reaching the final increase to $15 on October 1, 2018.

In a release sent out today, Alberta Labour Minister Christina Gray said, “Every Albertan working full time deserves to earn enough to provide the basics and live with dignity. Increasing minimum wage means fewer families having to visit the food bank to make ends meet. Albertans who see their wage increase will have more money to spend in the local economy on necessities like rent and groceries.”

Minimum wage in the province will increase from $11.20 to $12.20 and the lower liquor server rate of $10.70 per hour will be eliminated.