The minimum hourly wage for employees is going to increase twenty four cents effective today making the new wage rate $10.96 up from $10.72. 

"The thing with minimum wage increases," explained Jackie Wall, Executive Director for the Estevan Chamber of Commerce, "is, of course it's going to increase staffing for a number of businesses. There are also other businesses that pay above minimum wage. For them, it might have an impact as far as their current staff wanting an increase as well because minimum wage is going up."

She adds that the news was announced awhile ago giving businesses time prepare for the change. 

"Generally the government is very good at providing quite a bit of time for businesses to prepare for minimum wage increases. But it does impact businesses, anything that affects their bottom-line, affects the business."

"It is good for employees, it is good for the minimum wage employees but there are a lot of people that are not at the minimum wage level and a lot of businesses are paying above that minimum wage already."

"It is good to have a look at it from time to time but it will affect some of the service and retail businesses."

Other provinces are set to increase their minimum wage today as well:

Alberta: will rise to $13.60, and to $15.00 on October 1, 2018.
British Columbia: rose to $11.36 on September 15, 2017. 
Manitoba: will rise to $11.15.
New Brunswick: rose to $11.00 on April 1, 2017.
Newfoundland & Labrador: rose to $10.75 on April 1, 2017, will rise to $11.00 on October 1, 2017.
Northwest Territories: currently at $12.50.
Nova Scotia: rose to $10.85 on April 1, 2017.
Nunavut: currently $13.00
Ontario: will rise to $11.60. Legislation was introduced to increase minimum wage to $14.00 in 2018 and $15.00 in 2019 but it has not passed yet. 
Prince Edward Island: increased to $11.25 on April 1, 2107.
Quebec: increased to $11.25 on May 1, 2017.
Yukon: increased to $11.32 on April 1, 2017.