by Mark Sproxton
Northern News Services

NNSL (May 02/97) - The NWT's minimum wage rate will remain in the middle of the national pack with little chance of review for years.

Justice Minister Kelvin Ng said the government is too busy with division to worry about time consuming minimum wage legislation changes.

"When is a good time?" asked Jim Evoy, president of the NWT Federation of Labor. "The present minimum wage, by the minister's own admission, needs to be addressed. Let's address it."

Evoy wrote to Ng Feb. 21 asking for the wage level to be reviewed.

"I agree that a good case can be made for reviews of labor standards and the minimum wage, but now is not the time to do it," Ng replied last month in a letter.

"We must also address the economic and social conditions of the NWT which are under stress because of the acute decline in transfer payments from the federal government."

The last change to the minimum wage rates was April 1, 1991.

Those working in a community on the highway system earn $6 an hour if they are under 16 and $6.50 an hour if they are older.

If Ng's forecast holds true, at least eight years will pass without the minimum wage changing.

Yellowknife Centre MLA Jake Ootes said if it is something that needs attention, then appropriate action should be taken.

"To suggest there was not time, I'm not sure of the reasons for that," he said. "But if it's something that needs to be looked at, then time should be made."

He and Yellowknife South MLA Seamus Henry said neither knew how much time a look at the issue would take.

A panel with a representative from business, labor with a neutral chairperson could come up a recommendation in about a week, Evoy said.

If five per cent of the population is making minimum wage then the review is worthwhile, Henry said.

"But I suspect there's not too many people making minimum wage in the territories," he said. "There may be people not making much money, like $7 or $8 an hour, but what's the point if it's just a tugging match."

Ng was in New Mexico on government business and couldn't be reached for further comment.

Alberta..............$4.50....$5.00
B.C..................$7.00
Manitoba.............$5.40
New Brunswick........$5.50
Newfoundland.........$5.25
Nova Scotia..........$5.35
Ontario..............$6.40....$6.85
P.E.I................$5.15
Quebec...............$6.70
Saskatchewan.........$5.60
NWT (Yk).............$6.00....$6.50
Yukon................$6.86