A motion for reinstating the $10.00 per hour federal minimum wage went before Parliament yesterday.

It was introduced by the NDP, who've begun a cross-country consultation on poverty. MP's vote on the measure later this week.

The minimum wage was abolished in 1996, and economist Dr. Abdella Abdou of Brandon University feels bringing it back would be more symbolic than anything else. He notes income disparity has increased in the last few years, and this is a way for the government to demonstrate it's doing something about it.

Abdou says the 10 per cent of the labour force working for the federal government would be affected. That includes those working on federal projects, inter-provincial transport, and the banking sector.

Abdou adds evidence on the wage's impact aren't conclusive. He believes it would reduce employment in a competitive market, but might increase it where employers hold some market power.