February 19, 2024 - NDP's Kathleen Ganley proposes minimum-wage hike - Alberta NDP leadership candidate Kathleen Ganley is proposing to immediately raise the minimum wage to $16, bump it $17 next year, and then tie it to the Consumer Price Index afterwards. "In the last five years, minimum wage workers haven't had a single wage increase; at the same time, the cost of living has increased by 18 per cent," the Calgary MLA said. (Full Story)

February 15, 2024 - Alberta expecting to get federal estimate of its share of Canada Pension Plan by fall - Albertans will have to wait until the fall before they learn what the federal government thinks they should get if the province quits the Canada Pension Plan. Alberta Finance Minister Nate Horner says they've been told Canada's chief actuary plans to strike a panel this spring to explore how much Alberta should get, with an expected final calculation delivered in the fall. (Full Story)

February 15, 2024 - Alberta could face sharp increase in agriculture job vacancies by 2030 - The Canadian Agricultural Human Resource Council has found that the agriculture industry could face more than 100,000 job vacancies by 2030. According to a release, a study conducted by the Conference Board of Canada commissioned by CAHRC found a 15 per cent increase in job vacancies compared to the number of jobs in 2022 that Canadians and residents of Canada could not fill. (Full Story)

February 14, 2024 - New immigration stream help fill labour gaps in Alberta tourism and hospitality industry - The Alberta government announced its new Tourism and Hospitality Stream to help the province's tourism and hospitality industry address labour gaps and challenges. The stream is a part of the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program , the province's economic immigration program to attract and retain talented workers and entrepreneurs. (Full Story)

February 2, 2024 - Can employers in Alberta fire workers during maternity or parental leave? - In Alberta, it's illegal for employers to fire non-unionized workers during the job-protected portion of their maternity or parental leave. Under the province's Employment Standards Code (ESC), employees who have been with their company for at least 90 days are entitled to 16 weeks of unpaid maternity leave. (Full Story)

January 29, 2024 - WCB-Alberta takes a holistic approach to benefits - When the Workers' Compensation Board - Alberta (WCB-Alberta) hosted a Sugar Shack event for employees last October, even Mother Nature cooperated. Besides rolling maple sugar on the freshly fallen - and unexpected - snow, team members celebrated with hot chocolate and Québécois music. (Full Story)

January 29, 2024 - Alberta still seeking to fill skilled trades shortages despite population boom - Alberta's labour force grew last year at a rate not seen since the early 1980s as the province's population continued to outpace the rest of Canada. Yet despite a seemingly deeper labour pool, many employers say they are still facing an uphill battle in their search for top talent - notably in the skilled trades. (Full Story)

January 21, 2024 - Alberta introducing more internationally educated health care workers to workforce - More internationally-educated health workers are being introduced across Alberta to help fill the gaps in the current health care system. This comes after the federal government announced $86 million in funding for health professional accreditation and to address shortages. (Full Story)

January 19, 2024 - YWCHSB Yukon employer annual payroll report due February 29th - Every year, all employers registered with Yukon Workers' Compensation Health and Safety Board (YWCHSB) must complete an Employers Payroll Report by February 29. You are to report both your insurable earnings for the past year and an estimate of what you expect to pay in the current year. (Full Story)

January 9, 2024 - Increase to claims cost threshold - WCB annually reviews the claim cost threshold for no-time-lost claims used in experience rating. For claims occurring in 2024, the threshold increased from $1,800 to $1,900. Adjustments to your premiums are based on your claims experience to provide you with incentives to reduce your costs. For small business employers, adjustments are based on your total number of claims. For large business employers, adjustments are based on the cost of your claims. (Full Story)

December 24, 2023 - Grande Prairie could see up to 85,000 jobs in post-pandemic rebound, study suggests - Post-pandemic job recovery is underway for Grande Prairie as the northwestern Alberta region is expected to see more than 85,000 jobs by 2028. According to a new workforce study by Deloitte, factors such as family-friendliness, K-12 education, job opportunities, and higher wages are attracting people to work and stay in the region. (Full Story)

December 19, 2023 - 2024 cost of living adjustments - The 2024 cost of living adjustment (COLA) amount is 3.75% for eligible workers. COLA is calculated based on the change in the Alberta Consumer Price Index (ACPI) for 12 months, ending September 30, less 0.5 per cent. This method, based on a rolling 12-month average, is commonly used by pension groups and is considered to be a fair representation of the marketplace. (Full Story)

December 13, 2023 - WCB Alberta employer annual payroll estimate due February 29th - Every year, all employers registered with Alberta's Workers' Compensation Board (WCB) must complete an Annual Payroll Estimate even if the amount is zero. If you have workers, you're required to report by February 29 both your insurable earnings for the past year and an estimate of what you expect to pay in the current year. This is important information to ensure you are paying the correct premium amount. (Full Story)

February 14, 2024 - Small businesses in B.C. eligible for workplace accessibility grants - Approximately 1 in 5 Canadians identify as having a disability, which equates to around 1 million people in British Columbia. This demographic represents a significant pool of potential employees in B.C.'s workforce, which makes it crucial for employers to identify, remove, and prevent barriers in the workplace proactively. The Workplace Accessibility Grant was launched in 2021 by Small Business BC and the Presidents Group, with funding from the Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction. (Full Story)

February 9, 2024 - B.C. organizations need to enhance compensation practices - survey - Many organizations in British Columbia needed to enhance their compensation practices, according to a survey commissioned by the Chartered Professionals in Human Resources BC & Yukon which was undertaken by Western Compensation & Benefits Consultants (WCBC). According to the survey findings, half of the respondents did not have a formalized compensation philosophy while 40% said that they conducted a pay equity analysis. (Full Story)

February 9, 2024 - B.C. loses 20K full-time jobs in January - Employment in B.C. is off to a rough start this year. The province lost 19,600 full-time jobs in January - a figure somewhat offset only by the addition 17,000 part-time gigs, according to data released Friday by Statistics Canada. Despite the total loss of 2,600 jobs, unemployment dropped by 0.1 percentage points to 5.4 per cent as people left the workforce altogether. (Full Story)

January 29, 2024 - Planned Inspectional Initiatives updated for 2024 - WorkSafeBC's Planned Inspectional Initiatives support employers' management of risks by examining and promoting occupational health and safety basics and specific areas of high risk for particular industries. Initiatives are reviewed annually to make any necessary adjustments and ensure employers and workers continue to focus their efforts on key areas of hazard identification and risk assessment and management. (Full Story)

January 12, 2024 - Changes to assessable payroll practices - To simplify the calculation of assessable payroll and better align with the practices of the Canada Revenue Agency, WorkSafeBC has made changes to their assessable payroll reporting practices. These changes took effect January 1, 2024, and apply to the 2024 year onwards. The changes better align with policy as well as the Canada Revenue Agency's practices in order to facilitate more efficient and equitable reporting of assessable payroll. (Full Story)

December 29, 2023 - Return-to-work requirements for injured workers come into effect Jan. 1 - New rules to ensure workers can return to a job following a workplace injury come into effect Jan. 1, 2024. The requirements will support a more effective and fair workers' compensation system in the province and help restore workers to their previous employment status after suffering an injury on the job. (Full Story)

February 13, 2024 - Manitoba Government Announces New Employment Supports for Young Manitobans with Intellectual Disabilities - Young adults with an intellectual disability can now develop their skills and connect with their communities in a new way thanks to a supported employment program. Developed in consultation with Community Living disABILITY Services (CLDS), employment service providers and Abilities Manitoba, the Improving Quality of Life Employment Pilot Project will provide young adults aged 18 to 25 with employment services including transition planning, finding employment prospects, job skills and employment preparedness training, and job coaching. (Full Story)

January 31, 2024 - Grant applications open for Manitoba organizations looking for summer youth employment - Organizations looking to hire young people for summer jobs across Manitoba can now apply for grants under the provincial urban and hometown green team program. Such grants would aid non-profit organizations, municipal governments not including the City of Winnipeg, and Northern Affairs Community Councils in hiring workers, according to the government of Manitoba. The employment period is set for between May and September. (Full Story)

January 16, 2024 - It's easy to meet Manitoba WCB's February 29 deadline with Online Payroll Reporting - The Manitoba WCB is remind employers that it is easy to meet the February 29 deadline to report your payroll data to WCB - by https://www.cfib-fcei.ca/en/tools-resources/manitoba-wcb-deadlineusing the WCB's online Payroll Reporting System. Employers failing to comply with payroll reporting obligations (e.g., late filing, non-filing and under-reporting actual payroll) can be charged penalties and interest. (Full Story)

January 15, 2024 - Skilled workers with family ties to Manitoba will get boost in provincial nominee process - Prospective newcomers to Manitoba who already have family in the province will soon have a better chance of being approved to live and work here. In recent weeks, the government has conducted three provincial nominee draws by selecting only those candidates with a close family connection to the province. Future draws will also aim to prioritize family connections. (Full Story)

December 12, 2023 - Living wages are up in Manitoba, prompting group to call for increase in minimum wage - The hourly wage required for a family of four to live in Manitoba without severe financial stress has gone up. The Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives released the province's living wage data on Tuesday morning, which describes the amount of money a family with two working adults and two children needs to make every working hour to afford to live in various places. (Full Story)

February 20, 2024 - Applications for N.B. Workers Benefit to be accepted beginning Feb. 27 - Working New Brunswickers can begin applying on Feb. 27 for a one-time benefit of $300. "Affordability continues to be a critical issue for New Brunswickers," said Finance and Treasury Board Minister Ernie Steeves. "We know how important it is to make ends meet, and the N.B. Workers Benefit, along with the other measures we have introduced, should help to ease some of the financial pressures so many are facing." (Full Story)

February 19, 2024 - Minimum wage increase "falls short," says N.B. Federation of Labour - On Jan. 29, the government of New Brunswick announced that the province's minimum wage will increase to $15.30 per hour from the current rate of $14.75 on April 1. Both the Common Front for Social Justice and the Federation of Labour are pleased that the minimum wage continues to increase, but agree that there is still more to be done. (Full Story)

January 29, 2024 - Minimum wage to increase April 1 - The province's minimum wage will increase to $15.30 per hour on April 1, from the current rate of $14.75 per hour. The minimum wage rate is indexed to New Brunswick's consumer price index, rounded to the nearest five cents. The New Brunswick consumer price index grew by 3.6 per cent in 2023. With the 55-cent increase set for April 1, minimum wage will have increased by 36 per cent since 2019. (Full Story)

January 20, 2024 - 'A very good sign': more New Brunswickers are working and fewer are looking for jobs - For people watching the job market, New Brunswick's labour force data shows remarkable improvement over the last 10 years. Among the population's core working group, from the ages of 25 to 54, the unemployment rate dropped nearly in half, from 9.2 per cent in December 2013 to 5.3 per cent in December 2023, according to the latest Statistics Canada tables published in its labour force survey earlier this month. (Full Story)

December 7, 2023 - WorkSafeNB launches new hub for Joint Health and Safety Committees - WorkSafeNB is pleased to share a new online resource for joint health safety committees (JHSCs). JHSCs are a vital tool in creating and maintaining positive, injury-free workplaces in our province. Whether a new committee member, an employer starting a committee, or an experienced member and training provider, the new JHSC Centre includes all necessary information and services to help make New Brunswick's workplaces healthy and safe. (Full Story)

December 2, 2023 - Statutory Holidays in New Brunswick - New Brunswick's Employment Standards Act (ESA) recognizes eight public statutory holidays for employees working under provincial regulation. For statutory holidays, provincially regulated workers must receive a day off with pay from their employers. New Brunswick's Days of Rest Act lists specific days during the year that businesses must stay closed. It includes the provinces eight stat holidays. (Full Story)

March 1, 2024 - New requirements for Workplace Occupational Health and Safety Committees Effective March 1, 2024 - New requirements for occupational health and safety programs and committees will come into effect today following amendments to the Occupational Health and Safety Act passed in the House of Assembly last spring. These new requirements raise the worker threshold for occupational health and safety programs and committees from 10 or more to 20 or more workers at a worksite. (Full Story)

February 29, 2024 - 2024 Occupational Health And Safety Awareness Survey - Occupational Health and Safety Awareness Survey taking place beginning March 2024. WorkplaceNL, in partnership with the Newfoundland and Labrador Statistics Agency, Department of Finance, Government of Newfoundland and Labrador is conducting an Occupational Health and Safety Awareness survey. This survey will assess the level of health and safety awareness in workers, supervisors and employers in our province. (Full Story)

December 20, 2023 - Statutory Holidays in Newfoundland & Labrador - Newfoundland & Labrador's Labour Standards Act (LSA) recognizes six public statutory holidays for employees working under provincial regulation. For statutory holidays, provincially regulated workers must receive a day off with pay from their employers. There are also seven holidays that are NOT statutory holidays in Nova Scotia. While provincially regulated employers in Nova Scotia are not legally required to give employees those days off, they can voluntarily choose to do so. (Full Story)

December 12, 2023 - Low-Income Workers in NL are Getting a Bad Deal (and They Know it) - In a new report from the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives on what constitutes a "living wage" across different regions of Newfoundland and Labrador, we learned some pretty disastrous things about the state of household finances for low-income workers in the province. Cost of living increases, the housing crisis, and wages that are consistently low relative to much of the rest of the country mean households are struggling - and some reasons for this are unique. (Full Story)

December 11, 2023 - Trades NL Launches College of Skilled Trades - Trades NL is getting into training in a big way by launching a brand new college of skilled trades that will offer training in six campuses. Candidates will be able to complete their pre-apprenticeship training and progress through journeyperson and red seal in a variety of different trades. Executive Director of Trades NL, Darin King, says each campus has its own identity as each one identifies with a separate union. (Full Story)

February 22, 2024 - NWT to reach average of $10 a day for childcare in April - The Northwest Territories is set to reach an average of $10 a day for regulated childcare spaces by April 1. he federal and territorial governments made the announcement on Thursday, saying the achievement will be two years ahead of schedule under a childcare funding agreement between the governments. Cailtin Cleveland, the NWT's minister of education, culture and employment, said reaching the $10-a-day mark will save families as much as $9,120 a year. (Full Story)

January 3, 2024 - Have Your Say: Annual Minimum Wage Survey - The Government of the Northwest Territories is asking for feedback on the territory's minimum wage through a short survey. In 2022, the Department of Education, Culture and Employment (ECE) announced changes to the way the minimum wage is determined. It is now adjusted annually using a formula based on the percentage change in the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for Yellowknife and the percentage change in the average hourly wage (AHW) in the Northwest Territories (NWT) for the preceding calendar year. (Full Story)

November 27, 2023 - Media Release: Workers' Safety and Compensation Commission Release Assessment Rates for 2024 - The Workers' Safety and Compensation Commission (WSCC) announces that the average employer assessment rate is remaining at $2.40 per $100 of assessable payroll, unchanged since 2020. This is the base rate the WSCC uses as a starting point when setting individual subclass rates. (Full Story)

February 28, 2024 - Houston Government Takes Little Action on Job-Protected Leave - A Liberal resolution committing the Houston Conservatives to study expanding job-protected leave in Nova Scotia and sharing its progress with the House of Assembly by the spring session passed with all-party support, but little action seems to have been taken. In response to a question posed by the Liberals on the first day of the spring session, the Minister of Labour, Skills and Immigration advised the government was looking into it but failed to provide any significant details about whether any consultation has taken place. (Full Story)

February 28, 2024 - Income Assistance Changes Help Nova Scotians Connect to Workforce, Keep More Money - Changes to the income assistance program will help people reconnect to the workforce and ensure those who are working keep more of their earned income. The government will provide a one-time $150 payment for each income assistance client who does not qualify for the new disability supplement announced in November. Beginning in April, the new disability supplement will provide $300 per month more to those who cannot work and who are not currently in the Disability Support Program. (Full Story)

February 28, 2024 - Employment rates among Black, Indigenous groups in N.S. fall short of goals set 10 years ago - Black and Indigenous Nova Scotians still face lower employment rates compared to the rest of the population  -  10 years after a sweeping report on the province's economy recommended change. A decade ago, the Ivany Commission made 19 recommendations to improve the economic future of Nova Scotia including levelling employment rates among racialized groups to the provincial average. Today, while some progress has been made, that goal remains unmet. (Full Story)

February 28, 2024 - Tool, Technology Support for Apprentices - Two new grants will help Nova Scotian apprentices purchase tools and technology to support their training and launch their careers. The Province will provide a one-time grant of up to $1,000 to purchase new tools, equipment and clothing required, while a technology support grant will offer up to $900 for a computer and accessories to apprentices enrolled in training. (Full Story)

January 28, 2024 - Ontario is proposing rules to help newcomer job seekers. Nova Scotia is watching - Ontario hopes to address the dilemma facing immigrants by introducing legislation banning the requirement of Canadian work experience in job postings and application forms. Legislation was introduced in November and has been referred to a standing committee after a second reading in the Ontario legislature. In an emailed statement, Ontario's labour ministry said everyone with experience should have a fair chance of "getting their foot in the door" regardless of where they obtained that experience. (Full Story)

January 28, 2024 - More than 4,000 skilled workers apply for Halifax jobs after international recruitment drive - Thousands of skilled workers have recently applied to work in Halifax, after a tour of international job fairs had far more success than expected. The Halifax Partnership, the city's public-private economic development organization, attended job fairs in November and December alongside the provincial and federal governments. Organizers initially thought a target of 1,000 applications for 35 job offers from Halifax companies was ambitious. (Full Story)

January 4, 2024 - Funding Supports Newcomer Skilled Trades Assessments, Building Officials Training - Newcomers and Nova Scotians now have more access to training and certification in construction trades. The Province is increasing funding for the Work-based Trades Practical Assessment program and a training program run by the Nova Scotia Building Officials Association. Expanding support for the Work-based Trades Practical Assessment program is a partnership between the Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency and the Immigrant Services Association of Nova Scotia (ISANS). (Full Story)

January 3, 2024 - Minimum Wage Increasing on April 1 - Nova Scotia's minimum wage will increase to $15.20 per hour on April 1. The increase follows the formula previously recommended by the Minimum Wage Review Committee and accepted by the government. Starting this year, the rate is to be adjusted by the national consumer price index plus one percentage point from the minimum wage rate set the preceding April. That means an increase this year of 4.7 per cent from the April 2023 rate. (Full Story)

December 1, 2023 - Department of Labour wants feedback from Nova Scotians on harassment in workplaces - The Department of Labour, Skills and Immigration wants to hear from Nova Scotians about how to prevent and address workplace harassment. Last month, the Safety Office of the Department of Labour, Skills and Immigration began hosting in-person and online public engagement sessions to gather that feedback. People also have the option to submit their stories and ideas through a written submission. (Full Story)

March 2024 - Job seekers enjoy safe access to trusted employers in their communities! - Calling all employers and job seekers! Whether you're looking for a trusted, reliable and locally focused platform to hunt down new career opportunities or you need to cast a wide net to find the right people to join your team, localwork.ca is the solution. Local Work has been connecting employers with new employees since 2016 and has remained a trusted platform for both job seekers and employers alike. (Full Story)

February 1, 2024 - GN reminds employers about territory's new minimum wage - One month after the territory's new $19-an-hour minimum wage took effect, the Government of Nunavut reminded employers that paying less than that violates the territory's Labour Standards Act. Last November, the GN announced that as of Jan. 1, 2024, the territory's minimum hourly wage would rise to $19 from $16. That 18 per cent increase made Nunavut's minimum wage the highest in Canada. (Full Story)

January 6, 2024 - Minimum wage hike too much, too fast - A lot of Nunavummiut had an extra reason to celebrate on New Year's Eve because minimum wage went up to $19 an hour on Jan. 1. Hopefully, there won't be an economic hangover to suffer through because of the higher wages. Such a big and sudden hike should make people wonder if the Government of Nunavut went too far, too fast. (Full Story)

March 6, 2024 - Student summer jobs are open at the Ontario government & here's how to apply - Are you a student or know of a student in need of a summer job? Look no further! The government of Ontario is looking to fill various roles this summer and there are still positions available. From office roles to working in provincial parks, here's what to know about the available Ontario government student summer jobs. (Full Story)

March 4, 2024 - Ontario Judge Finds Another Way to Void Termination Provision in Employment Contract - Recently, the Ontario Superior Court of Justice found that the termination clause in an employment agreement was unenforceable for, among other reasons, permitting the employer to terminate the employee's employment in its "sole discretion" and "at any time". The decision adds to a growing list of Ontario judgements which have found termination provisions containing common language unenforceable for potentially conflicting with the Ontario Employment Standards Act, 2000. (Full Story)

February 29, 2024 - Ontario Nurses Urged To Participate In First-Ever Workforce Census - The College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO) is asking Ontario's nurses to participate in a first-of-its-kind census. The College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO) launched its first Workforce Census. The census, which is being sent to about 200,000 nurses in the province, includes questions that will provide CNO with key insights into both the demographics of Ontario nurses and their experiences. (Full Story)

February 28, 2024 - After 2 years of record job gains, Ontario's labour market calmed down in 2023 - Ontario's labour market calmed down in 2023 but saw a growth in average hourly wages that was higher than the rate of inflation, according to a new report Wednesday from the province's financial watchdog. The market's tempering comes after two years of record job gains during the COVID-19 pandemic. Last year, Ontario added 183,200 jobs - a decrease from 338,300 in 2022 and 367,400 in 2021. (Full Story)

January 31, 2024 - Ontario Training Thousands of New Long-Term Care Staff - The Ontario government is investing more than $100 million in two programs that will train more than 32,000 new personal support workers (PSWs) and nurses in long-term care over the next three years. The investments are part of the government's Your Health plan to recruit and retain tens of thousands of long-term care staff over the coming years. (Full Story)

January 12, 2024 - What do Ontario employers need to know ahead of new pay transparency legislation? - Before new pay transparency legislation takes effect in Ontario, it's important for employers to ensure their current compensation structure is in order, says Dominic Girard, a senior consultant in compensation at Arthur J. Gallagher and Co. If passed, the legislation would require employers to include expected salary ranges in job postings so candidates are better poised to make informed decisions when accepting a position. (Full Story)

January 4, 2024 - Changes to Ontario Works and Employment Ontario Effective January 1, 2024 - A number of changes are happening as part of the provincial government's vision to transform Ontario's employment services to make them more efficient and responsive to job seeker needs. These include: Ontario Works will no longer offer employment programs or provide employment related funds to residents who receive Ontario Works assistance; Residents will work with Employment Ontario service providers to help them find or get ready for work; and more. (Full Story)

March 5 2024 - PEI to welcome 1590 foreign workers in various sectors in 2024 - PEI need skilled workers and will be welcoming 1590 workers in 2024. 75% of nominations will be allocated to skilled workers in healthcare, childcare, trades and other industries. PEI will invite the most number of workers in the healthcare sector, followed by the manufacturing, sales and services sectors. The province aims to train those residing there, attract highly skilled workers, and retain them to build a strong and sustainable workforce. (Full Story)

February 20, 2024 - New recruitment strategy will help address critical shortage of skilled trades across Atlantic Canada - Construction Association of Prince Edward Island (CAPEI) to develop and implement regional immigration plan to help address critical shortages in the sector. The need to increase the number of skilled tradespeople in Atlantic Canada's construction sector has never been greater. (Full Story)

February 21, 2024 - 'Let's put them to work': Strategy underway to recruit skilled labourers to P.E.I. - Prince Edward Island's need for construction workers to build homes has never been greater, but funding announced Wednesday could have job sites bustling with more workers soon. At least that's what the Construction Association of P.E.I. hopes will happen with money granted to develop an Atlantic Canada recruitment strategy for skilled labourers from outside the country. (Full Story)

February 12, 2024 - Facing a shortage of doctors, P.E.I. also can't find people to recruit them - In charge of a health-care system in dire need of more staff, P.E.I. Health Minister Mark McLane says there's also a shortage when it comes to the people trying to hire doctors. Nearly half of the positions on P.E.I.'s medical professional recruitment team are either vacant or occupied by people who are on leave. (Full Story)

January 9, 2024 - Reporting work-related injuries and illnesses made easier and quicker for PEI workers - The Workers Compensation Board (WCB) of PEI is pleased to offer workers on the Island the convenience of reporting and filing a work-related injury or illness claim anytime, from anywhere and any device, through the WCB's Online Services portal. Employers and health care providers have had access to the portal enabling them to provide information to the WCB and to access their account information. (Full Story)

January 1, 2023 - Minimum wage on Prince Edward Island increases to $14.50 - he first of two increases that will boost Prince Edward Island's minimum wage to $15 by the end of the year comes into effect on Sunday. A news release from the province's Department of Economic Growth says minimum wage is set to increase by 80 cents to $14.50 on Jan. 1, and will rise a further 50 cents on Oct. 1. The minimum wage increase for P.E.I. was first announced in the fall. (Full Story)

March 7, 2024 - Support to obtain professional designations in disability management/return to work 2024 - Employers and governments across Canada and around the world have recognized and adopted professional designations. They are referenced in the United Nations' International Social Security Administration (ISSA) best practice guidelines on return to work and reintegration, as they are recognized as the global gold standard for those working in the field. (Full Story)

March 4, 2024 - Sask. Government launches new labour force strategy - The Government of Saskatchewan has launched a new labour market strategy, which outlines how the province will ensure that Saskatchewan people benefit from the jobs the economy creates and that employers have access to the workforce needed to succeed. The strategy outlines how the province is preparing people for both current and emerging jobs in Saskatchewan and aligning training opportunities in post-secondary institutions to industry needs. (Full Story)

March 4, 2024 - Saskatchewan WCB seeking customer feedback - In the months of March and April, the Saskatchewan Workers' Compensation Board (WCB) will be reaching out to customers across the province to gather feedback to help improve WCB services. The information provided by customers will be vital in improving the WCB's services over the short and long term. (Full Story)

February 22, 2024 - Saskatchewan manufacturers claim WCB cut off funding for workplace safety programs - The Saskatchewan Workers' Compensation Board (WCB) has cut off the $1.4 million in annual funding for workplace safety programs it provides to manufacturers in the province, according to a group of manufacturers in the province. That was done in a dispute over a program audit, according to a CTV News report. Aside from auditing how manufacturers are spending the funding. (Full Story)

February 13, 2024 - Saskatchewan employers on the hunt for more skilled trade workers - Statistics Canada said there are more vacancies in skilled trade jobs than there are people to fill them, especially in key industries like construction, manufacturing and transportation. The Regina Trades and Skills Centre and Saskatchewan Polytechnic are places employers go looking for skilled hands. (Full Story)

February 9, 2024 - Saskatchewan Starting 2024 Strong: 12,900 Jobs Added Year-Over-Year - Newly released numbers from Statistics Canada show Saskatchewan's labour market is off to a strong start in 2024, with 12,900 new jobs added last month when compared to January 2023, an increase of 2.2 per cent. The provincial labour force also reached 623,300 in January, a record high for the month. (Full Story)

January 25, 2024 - The Saskatchewan Employment Incentive is now Open for Applications - The Government of Saskatchewan has officially launched the new Saskatchewan Employment Incentive (SEI). Working families with low incomes can now apply online at saskatchewan.ca/employment-incentive. Working parents earning between $500 and $2,200 per month may be eligible for the maximum monthly SEI benefit ranging from $400 to $600, depending on the number of children they have. (Full Story)

December 11, 2023 - WCB approves 2024 premium rates - The Saskatchewan Workers' Compensation Board (WCB) has approved the 2024 average employer premium rate to remain unchanged from the 2023 rate of $1.28 per hundred dollars of payroll.  In 2022, 90 per cent of employers achieved zero injuries and zero fatalities. The WCB is working to support workers and employers across the province to prioritize and effectively manage workplace safety. (Full Story)

February 21, 2024 - Yukon to Employ Internationally Educated Health Pros - Across Canada, Canadians are facing labour shortages and the demand for qualified workers continues to grow. Long wait times and difficulty finding a family physician are far too common for people across the country. That is why the Government of Canada is investing to speed up accreditation for internationally educated health professionals (IEHPs). (Full Story)

February 20, 2024 - Yukon receives federal funding to streamline hiring foreign-trained health workers - The Yukon is receiving federal funding with the objective of streamlining the employment process for foreign-trained health-care workers. Speaking to reporters on Tuesday in Whitehorse, Ranj Pillai, Yukon premier, said the objective of the $3.65 million from Ottawa is to help cover any of the costs that might prevent foreign-trained health workers from being employed in the territory. (Full Story)

January 29, 2024 - The Yukon's minimum wage increases to $17.59 per hour - Effective April 1, 2024, the Yukon's minimum wage will increase from $16.77 to $17.59 per hour. This increase is based on the 2023 Consumer Price Index for Whitehorse which is 4.9 per cent. A minimum wage tied to inflation, as with other social supports, aims to help reduce poverty, increase affordability and address income inequality across the territory. (Full Story)