As the provincial government looks at the next steps in raising minimum wage the Alberta Chamber of Commerce is wanting businesses to raise their voice.

A survey is available for people to give their feedback on the increase and the Okotoks Chamber of Commerce is encouraging local businesses to take part.

Cheryl Actemichuk, CEO of the Okotoks Chamber, says a similar was survey was put out in the fall.

"We found that the majority of the business members were against it, now the provincial government is pushing a little bit harder saying they think they want to make this a sort of a reality and the Alberta Chamber of Commerce in turn has stepped up and said 'Wait a minute, we have to talk to our membership and see how this is going to affect small business,'" Actemichuk says.

Actemichuk says a rise in minimum wage could affect businesses in multiple ways.

"Maybe you're going to have to raise the cost of doing business, maybe you're going to have to raise the cost of your services or goods, maybe it's going to affect you greater where you're going to have to lay staff off because you can't afford the increase to the other staff that are going to want an increase as well," she says. "It's not just how do you feel about the minimum wage, it's what are the impacts it's going to have to your business."

Actemichuk adds it's important people speak up on how they feel about the increase, whether it affects them or not, and why.

The deadline to complete the survey is Feb. 13.

To complete the survey click here.

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