Saskatchewan has the lowest minimum wage in Canada, at $9.50 per hour, now that a new slightly higher rate has taken effect in Alberta.

Saskatchewan's labour minister Don Morgan says the province aims to have a minimum wage that is about in the middle of what is in place in other provinces.

"Given that a number of provinces have unexpectedly raised theirs, I think it's appropriate that we should look at raising ours," Morgan said. "So I will be taking a recommendation to cabinet in the next while."

Morgan also said the competition for labour has also had an effect on wages.

"Market conditions are driving wages up," Morgan noted. "But I think as a government we have a role in ensuring that those that are at entry-level get adequately compensated as well."

He said Saskatchewan is looking at linking changes to the minimum wage to the cost of living.

Talk of increasing Saskatchewan's minimum wage drew criticism from Marilyn Braun-Pollon, a vice-president, based in Regina, for the Canadian Federation of Independent Business.

"Saskatchewan is home to among the highest weekly earnings in Canada," Braun-Pollon said. "Saskatchewan's small business owners ... are already paying competitive wages."

She said any increase in the minimum wage would cost business owners.

"This is a politically popular decision, but what it does is it leaves small business workers picking up the tab," she said. "We've always said minimum wage is a blunt tool to address poverty and health of low income workers."

Larry Hubich, president of the Saskatchewan Federation of Labour, said the province should have been acting on the minimum wage much sooner.

"It's a little late in the game," he said. "They're responding to negative pressure."

Hubich said Saskatchewan people currently earning the minimum wage are having a difficult time.

"How difficult is it for families on minimum wage to make a living? Well, the current minimum wage is $9.50 an hour," he said. "What does it cost for a tank of gas for your vehicle?"

Saskatchewan's minimum wage is now 25 cents behind Alberta's, which rose 35 cents, to $9.75 per hour, effective Sept. 1.

With files from CBC's David Shield