The three-stage improvement plan for construction industry wage rates in Manitoba will officially complete on Jan. 1, 2010.

"This is the third wage increase based on recommendations of the
Construction Industry Wages Consultation Panel in January 2008,"said
Jennifer Howard, land and immigration minister. "This increase
maintains the new province-wide schedules established in June of 2009,
ensuring construction minimum wages rates are the same for rural and
urban construction regardless of where a building is being constructed."

The Construction Industry Wages Act divides the industry into the heavy
sector and the industrial, commercial and institutional (ICI) sector.
Wage rates differ depending on the type of work performed. In the heavy
construction sector, wages will rise between 2.5 and 3%, while in the
ICI sector the wage schedule is generally increasing around 4%.