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Minimum Wage: Pulling the Thorns From a Prickly Debate The Conference Board of Canada, 12 pages, July 5, 2022 Issue Briefing by Ted Mallett

Minimum Wage: Pulling the Thorns From a Prickly Debate

The Conference Board of Canada, 12 pages, July 5, 2022
Issue Briefing by Ted Mallett

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This issue briefing addresses the debate over the setting and perceived impact of minimum wage increases and suggests some simple benchmarks. Document Highlights Research finds that the impact of minimum wage increases on poverty or employment levels are relatively unexceptional. Minimum wage levels have seen steady increases relative to average wages, but changes are often erratic. Limiting adult minimum wages to 50 per cent of average incomes brings more certainty for employers. Creating a graduated wage scale for teenagers could also help ensure that wage levels are set in step with their developing work skills. Table of Contents Key Findings Where Things Stand Tale of the Tape Opposites Don’t Attract The Best Time Is Now Options for Targeting Set It and Forget It: Adopting Simple Benchmarks Appendix A—Bibliography

This issue briefing addresses the debate over the setting and perceived impact of minimum wage increases and suggests some simple benchmarks.

Document Highlights

Research finds that the impact of minimum wage increases on poverty or employment levels are relatively unexceptional.
Minimum wage levels have seen steady increases relative to average wages, but changes are often erratic.
Limiting adult minimum wages to 50 per cent of average incomes brings more certainty for employers.
Creating a graduated wage scale for teenagers could also help ensure that wage levels are set in step with their developing work skills.

Key Findings
Where Things Stand
Tale of the Tape
Opposites Don’t Attract
The Best Time Is Now
Options for Targeting
Set It and Forget It: Adopting Simple Benchmarks
Appendix A—Bibliography