May 24, 2011, Winnipeg – The Saskatchewan government’s decision to raise the minimum wage to $9.50 per hour in September will once again hit small businesses and youth job creation across the province, according to the Canadian Restaurant and Foodservices Association (CRFA).
“Restaurants provide more first-time jobs than any other industry in Canada, and are a stepping stone to the broader labour force, including thousands of opportunities within foodservice in Saskatchewan,” says Dwayne Marling, Manitoba-Saskatchewan vice-president of the CRFA. “Unfortunately the government seems to be pursuing a policy of wage inflation, not job creation.”
“Restaurant operators are already struggling with escalating food, energy and beverage alcohol costs,” Marling adds. “A nearly 20 per cent increase in the minimum wage in just four years hits an industry which is already operating on tight margins.
Saskatchewan’s $1.8 billion restaurant and foodservice industry is one of the largest employers in the province. The CRFA estimates that more than 32,000 people are directly employed in foodservice, including 13,600 young people under the age of 25.
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