Alberta restaurant owners say a proposed minimum wage increase to $18 per hour could force hundreds of establishments to close their doors, reigniting a fierce debate about worker pay versus business survival.
The Alberta Federation of Labour has been pushing for the increase, arguing that the current $15 minimum wage — unchanged since 2018 — has been eroded by inflation. "A worker earning $15 an hour in 2026 has less purchasing power than someone earning $12 in 2015," said AFL president Gil McGowan.
But the Alberta Restaurant and Foodservices Association says the industry is already operating on razor-thin margins. "Our members are dealing with food cost increases of 30%, labour shortages, and rising utility bills," said ARFA president Mark von Schellwitz. "An additional $3 per hour across all staff would be catastrophic for many."
Calgary restaurateur Paolo DiGianni, who operates three Italian restaurants, said he would likely have to reduce staff and hours. "I'm not making the money people think I'm making. A 20% increase in labour costs means something has to give."
The debate comes as Calgary's food scene continues to expand, with new restaurants opening at a pace not seen since before the pandemic. According to CalgaryFinder.com, more than 180 new food and beverage establishments listed themselves on the platform in 2025 alone.
Premier Danielle Smith has not committed to a timeline for any wage adjustment, saying the government is "studying the issue carefully."
WestNet News will continue to follow this developing story as the legislature reconvenes.
