Discussions

In 2019, at line 30000 (formerly line 300 of schedule 1), the personal exemption is $12,069. That means your first $12,069 of income you don't pay taxes on. This applies to everyone, in every province. There are also exemptions for the provincial portion (in Manitoba, the basic personal amount was $9,626 at line 58040 in 2019, meaning that you don't pay any provincial income taxes on the first $9,626 you earn).  
 
That amount can increase depending on different circumstances, such as age, but the basic amount is the minimum applies to everyone.  
 
That doesn't necessarily preclude income tax being taken off your cheque (if you're on track to earn less than the basic personal amount, it's possible there will be no tax deducted, but usually there's always something taken off), but you would get it all back at tax time as a refund. Also, just because there's an exempted amount, most people will get deductions taken off the entire year in roughly equal increments i.e. you don't to have no deductions for the first $12 then suddenly start having deductions).

These wages usually represent shift premiums for working night shifts, because it's hard to find, and retain trust worthy night staff that is willing to change their sleep schedule, and not spend time with their family cause they are working when 80% of the population is sleeping.  
 
I am not disagreeing that custodial work isn't hard/gross work (I have done it myself), but it's unskilled labour that anyone without a criminal record, or a disability of some sort is completely capable of doing. Most these jobs aren't designed to have 20plus year loyalty, they are usually a pit stop/secondary job to make ends meet or motivation to find something that's not as hard on the body or motivation to educate and find something that pays the wage that you feel you deserve. Education isn't really always necessary either. There isn't a lot of growth offered in the cleaning industry, so unless your going to start your own company to pay your own wage there isn't a lot of options. If cleaners walk out and demand more, there is likely a bunch of new workers willing to take their spots that need to make money and are willing to take on the job.