The New Democrats have unveiled an ambitious plan to increase the minimum wage in the province to $15 an hour by the end of 2022.

NDP Leader Alison Coffin made the election promise this morning at the party’s campaign headquarters in downtown St. John’s.

Coffin acknowledged the reluctance of some businesses to go that far that soon, given the difficulties faced by many following last year’s snowmageddon and now the pandemic—but she says the status quo is unacceptable.

She says the cost of doing nothing is far greater than the cost of putting in place a framework that recognizes the unique circumstances of individual businesses.

Coffin cited statistics that show 1 in 3 workers in the province earn what she calls “poverty wages” of less than $15 an hour.

She also pointed to the example of Alberta’s $15 minimum wage, noting for every extra dollar earned there, two dollars went back into the economy.