On February 5, 2010 the provincial government announced that Alberta's minimum wage will be frozen in an attempt to protect jobs and support the economy. (Read the news release here)

Members of ACSW's Social Action / Social Justice committee have replied with a letter to the Minister of Employment and Immigration - Mr. Thomas Lukaszuk.

Excerpt:

• "You may wonder why we are writing about such a trivial amount, 11 cents per hour: Less than $5 in a 40 hour work week. We are writing because our Code of Ethics obliges us to "uphold the right of people to have access to resources to meet basic human needs" and "advocate for equal treatment and protections under the law and challenge injustices, especially injustices that affect the vulnerable and disadvantaged.""

You may read the complete letter to Minister Thomas Lukaszuk here.

Government of Alberta News Release

February 5, 2010 - Alberta's Minimum Wage to Remain the Same Through 2010

News Article

Edmonton Journal

• February 6, 2010 - "A Flurry of Government Communication, Lacking only Co-ordination" by Graham Thomson