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

Image | Alta Newsmaker McIver 20140905

Caption: Interim PC Leader Ric McIver's tweet blaming the NDP's minimum wage hike for job losses in the food service industry sparked a social media debate. (Jason Franson/Canadian Press)

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.

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McIver'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(external link) minimum wage policy," he tweeted.
But some social media posters took odds with McIver's assertion.

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Alberta'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.

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And at least one tweeter poked fun at the idea of blaming the NDP for new technology taking away jobs.

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People posting to a Reddit thread titled "Thanks, NDP" also got in on the action.