Introduction The last quarter of a century has seen growing support for the importance of understanding the relationship between poor living conditions and ill health. These conditions have been defined as social determinants of health. There has been a strong push among policy makers to study non-medical determinants of health as opposed to the traditional narrow way of thinking regarding medical treatments or lifestyle choices (Mikkonen, Raphael 2010). Income and income distribution are believed to be the most important social determinants of health because they further influence other social determinants of health, for example low-income families are forced to live in circumstances of material and social deprivation which make it very difficult for families can afford basic necessities such as food, clothing and shelter (Kekkonen, Raphael 2010). Studies have shown that suicide rates and the onset of many diseases such as diabetes and heart disease are significantly more prevalent among low-income Canadians than their more affluent counterparts. One policy that has often been implemented by governments as a means of alleviating poverty and increasing income equality is the minimum wage policy. There is an ongoing debate about whether raising the minimum wage is an effective policy for alleviating poverty in society and providing a more equitable distribution of wealth or whether it has additional negative implications on the working poor due to the effects that wage policies minimum they have on employment and the labor market. This article will explore the historical context of the minimum wage and discuss the reasons for its establishment. Both sides of the issue…half of the paper…minimum wages when set to meet or exceed the low-income limits set by Statistics Canada can help ensure that all workers receive at least a fair and equitable wage for their work (Goldberg, green 1999). A person's income level determines their overall living conditions and this determines a number of other social determinants of health such as food security or housing. Inadequate minimum wages and income inequality lead to material and social deprivation which further leads to poor health because basic health needs such as food, clothing and shelter cannot be met. Policies to reduce poverty, such as raising minimum wages adequately to meet real living costs, must be addressed immediately by governments and policy makers and this will also help alleviate cost pressures on our healthcare system (Raphael, Mikkonen).