Are you part of The Tyee's critical 1%?

Thanks for reading The Tyee today — we hope this article added to your day in some way. Our team of independent journalists takes pride in doing in-depth reporting and taking time to get it right.

We're able to focus our attention on publishing impactful journalism in the public interest, and publish it for free for all to read, because we have the support of Tyee Builders. Tyee Builders are readers who contribute a bit of money — at a level and frequency of their choice — to support our editorial budget.

This core of supporters — making up about 1 to 2 per cent of our daily readership — enables us to pay our writers, keep our articles free and open to all, and not bombard our readers with annoying ads while you try to read.

Instead of focusing on what kind of articles will attract the most advertising dollars, we can spend time devoted to researching and writing stories that our readers find most valuable and make the most positive impact in our region.

If you'd like to join thousands of readers who help make independent journalism possible, consider joining Tyee Builders. Thank you.

— Jeanette Ageson, Publisher

Click here to Join Tyee Builders

Help us un-break journalism in Canada

You made it all the way through the article – I hope that means you liked it (or if not ‘liked’ it, gleaned some useful information from it). Tyee articles are known for being quite lengthy, so we appreciate when people spend some quality time with our work.

Listen, I’ll get to the point – the article you just read was made possible because our non-profit newsroom was able to pay a talented journalist to research and write it. And we can only afford to do that because of our business model, which relies on a certain percentage of our readers signing up for our paid membership program called Tyee Builders.

The traditional business model for journalism in Canada has been completely disrupted, and we’re witnessing a slow collapse as corporate newsrooms buy up distressed publications, lay people off, and suck the value out of them before declaring bankruptcy. And it doesn’t help that tech giant Meta has blocked Canadian news on their Facebook and Instagram platforms.

There is another way and we are carving the path.

Between 1 to 2 per cent of people who visit The Tyee contribute financially, but amazingly, that small percentage is enough to fund half of our overall budget. And it means we can operate without a paywall, too. 1 per cent of people giving means 99 per cent of people get access to quality, fact-based journalism from a talented team of journalists who live and work in B.C., Alberta, and across Canada. We think that’s pretty remarkable.

If you’re concerned about the way journalism is heading in Canada and you’d like to do something about it, consider joining Tyee Builders and contributing an amount that works for you.

— Jeanette Ageson, Publisher

Click here to Join Tyee Builders
Marking 20 years
of bold journalism,
reader supported.
support us subscribe free
News
Labour + Industry

NDP Pushes to Reinstate and Raise Federal Minimum Wage

If passed, wage would apply to 820,000 Canadians and 'fight against inequalities,' labour critic says.

Jeremy Nuttall 15 Sep 2014TheTyee.ca

Jeremy J. Nuttall is The Tyee's Parliament Hill reporter in Ottawa. Find his previous stories here.

This coverage of Canadian national issues is made possible because of generous financial support from our Tyee Builders.
image atom
The New Democrat bill would affect wages for federally regulated industries, such as railways, broadcast media and banks -- a small group, NDP labour critic Alexandre Boulerice conceded.

The federal New Democrats announced they will table a bill Tuesday that if passed would reinstate and raise the federal minimum wage to $15 an hour.

The rate would only apply to federally regulated industries, such as railways, broadcast media and banks. About 820,000 people across Canada work in industries regulated by Ottawa.

The motion will be debated in the house and calls for the reinstatement of a federal minimum wage and to have it increase each year to reach $15 an hour over five years.

NDP labour critic Alexandre Boulerice conceded to reporters on Parliament Hill the increase was partly a symbolic gesture because it would affect a small portion of the labour market, but insisted it would "fight against inequalities and help Canadian families and workers."

Boulerice said the 2008 federal jurisdiction employee survey shows about 100,000 people working in federally-regulated industries earn less than their suggested wage.

"Almost 100,000 earn less than $14 an hour," he said. "Believe me, when you live paycheque by paycheque, this would be a huge difference."

According to the survey, about 66 per cent of employees in federally-regulated industries earn $20 an hour, with about one per cent earning less than $10 an hour.

Liberals 'likely' to give support

Liberal leader Justin Trudeau was lukewarm to the wage increase, calling it worthy of discussion. But he said his party "will most likely" support the motion.

"We're interested, however, in creating solutions that serve all Canadians and build a much stronger economy and not just for a narrow few," Trudeau said.

Earlier inside the house, Opposition Leader Thomas Mulcair took a shot at Prime Minister Stephen Harper, accusing him of only interfering in the market when he intends to lower wages, pointed to the Temporary Foreign Worker Program expansion.

Labour unions and other critics have argued that program was expanded to put downward pressure on Canadian wages.

Harper responded by touting the Conservatives' move to lower the GST and bring in the universal benefit for childcare.

The motion to raise the federal minimum wage will be tabled tomorrow morning and is likely to be voted on in the evening. [Tyee]

Read more: Labour + Industry

  • Share:

Facts matter. Get The Tyee's in-depth journalism delivered to your inbox for free

Tyee Commenting Guidelines

Comments that violate guidelines risk being deleted, and violations may result in a temporary or permanent user ban. Maintain the spirit of good conversation to stay in the discussion.
*Please note The Tyee is not a forum for spreading misinformation about COVID-19, denying its existence or minimizing its risk to public health.

Do:

  • Be thoughtful about how your words may affect the communities you are addressing. Language matters
  • Challenge arguments, not commenters
  • Flag trolls and guideline violations
  • Treat all with respect and curiosity, learn from differences of opinion
  • Verify facts, debunk rumours, point out logical fallacies
  • Add context and background
  • Note typos and reporting blind spots
  • Stay on topic

Do not:

  • Use sexist, classist, racist, homophobic or transphobic language
  • Ridicule, misgender, bully, threaten, name call, troll or wish harm on others
  • Personally attack authors or contributors
  • Spread misinformation or perpetuate conspiracies
  • Libel, defame or publish falsehoods
  • Attempt to guess other commenters’ real-life identities
  • Post links without providing context

LATEST STORIES

The Barometer

Are You Concerned about AI?

Take this week's poll