Ric McIver tweet slamming NDP minimum wage hike spurs social media debate
'4 less AB jobs due to #NDP minimum wage policy,' tweets interim PC leader
A tweet by interim Progressive Conservative Leader Ric McIver suggesting the Alberta government's increase to the minimum wage is leading to job losses in the food service sector has served up reaction on social media.
4 less AB jobs due to <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NDP?src=hash">#NDP</a> minimum wage policy. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ableg?src=hash">#ableg</a> <a href="https://t.co/Z2v8z7qWJT">pic.twitter.com/Z2v8z7qWJT</a>
—@RicMcIverMcIver's tweet includes a picture of a McDonald's restaurant that has installed an automated food-ordering system.
"4 less AB jobs due to #NDP minimum wage policy," he tweeted.
But some social media posters took odds with McIver's assertion.
.<a href="https://twitter.com/RicMcIver">@RicMcIver</a> Oddly enough, <a href="https://twitter.com/eThor">@eThor</a> - a world leader in this technology - was founded right here in Calgary. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ableg?src=hash">#ableg</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/abpoli?src=hash">#abpoli</a>
—@BFSingh<a href="https://twitter.com/RicMcIver">@RicMcIver</a> actually I covered this launch for CTV. Mcd's says they hired 10-15 MORE per store: greeters and table service.
—@KimTaylorCommsAlberta's minimum wage was raised from $10.20 per hour to $11.20 per hour last October. Rachel Notley's NDP government plans to raise it to $15 per hour over the next three years.
A few people tweeted in support of McIver's criticism, which drew more than 40 likes and retweets.
<a href="https://t.co/P2ENwi7Jt0">https://t.co/P2ENwi7Jt0</a> <br>Ugh, thanks NDP...<a href="https://twitter.com/RicMcIver">@RicMcIver</a>
—@esweinstAnd at least one tweeter poked fun at the idea of blaming the NDP for new technology taking away jobs.
.<a href="https://twitter.com/RicMcIver">@RicMcIver</a> Another job lost due to the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NDP?src=hash">#NDP</a> minimum wage policy! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ableg?src=hash">#ableg</a> <a href="https://t.co/dRiDAUntWe">pic.twitter.com/dRiDAUntWe</a>
—@EgoAntPeople posting to a Reddit thread titled "Thanks, NDP" also got in on the action.
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