NDP MP Peggy Nash recently introduced a bill in the House of Commons, C-375, that seeks to re-establish a federal minimum wage of $10 per hour. Anti-poverty groups, and the labour movement strongly support this bill and a minimum wage of at least $10 per hour.

In 2005, the Canadian Labour Congress reported that a single person working full-time in Canada needed an hourly rate of at least $10 just to reach a poverty-line income. They also estimate that a quarter of all workers make less than that.

Women alone represent almost two-thirds of minimum wage workers and as such, low minimum wage policies ensure that women remain poor.

In 2003 CEDAW made its recommendations to Canada, and since then FAFIA has called on the government of Canada to implement them. Increasing the minimum wage to at least $10 per hour is one effective way for the government to make progress on these recommendations, and to combat poverty among women.

To view Bill C-375 click here:
Bill C-375

To read background information on Bill C-375 click here:
Background Information

To download a fact sheet on minimum wage and women, click here:
Fact Sheet on Women and Minimum Wage Work in Canada

To visit key organizations fighting for a better minimum wage click here:
Peggy Nash, NDP MP
National Anti-Poverty Organization (NAPO)
The Canadian Labour Congress
The Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives