March 30, 2023 – The Manitoba Federation of Labour and Manitoba Building Trades have launched a campaign to protect apprentice wages in the province.

“Manitoba is in the middle of a skilled labour shortage, and our government should be doing everything it can to attract and retain skilled workers,” reads the campaign. “But Heather Stefanson’s government is doing the exact opposite by considering slashing wages for apprentices in Manitoba.”

Proponents explain that the majority of apprentices have their minimum wage rates tied to the provincial minimum wage. When the provincial minimum wage goes up—as it is scheduled to do in October—the minimum wage for these trades goes up accordingly.

“The language in the government’s current consultation suggests that this scheduled minimum wage increase for apprentices may be cancelled,” say proponents.

“If we want to recruit skilled workers to build their futures here in Manitoba instead of seeking opportunities elsewhere, we need to offer competitive wages that help them pay the bills!” they add.