Of the regions, Saskatchewan is expected to have the highest projected base salary increase in 2019 at 2.9 per cent. Right next door, Manitoba is expected to have the lowest increase at 2.3 per cent. The average pay increase for non-unionized Canadian employees is expected to be 2.6 per cent next year. That’s up slightly from the 2.4 per cent increase this year. The Conference Board of Canada says wage increases over the past few years have been among the lowest seen in 20 years. The increases next year are expected to stay ahead of inflation. The Board’s Compensation Planning Outlook says the highest increases will likely be in the food, beverage, and tobacco industries at three percent. The lowest are anticipated in the health sector at 1.6 per dent.