Hundreds of Quebecers marched in Montreal on Saturday to press for a $15 an hour minimum wage, but economists warn that such a measure could hurt those it aims to help.

Many of the protesters said the current provincial minimum wage of $10.75 an hour isn't enough for a person to live on, even if they're working full-time..

"The main discourse says that it's by working more that we get out of poverty, but it's not true," said Virginie Lariviere. "We need $15 an hour to get out of poverty."

Some of those who came out said that affording the basic necessities of life is a struggle with the current wage, forcing them to eat cheap, unhealthy food and live more isolated lives. 

Economist Vincent Geloso dismissed the idea that a drastic increase to minimum wage will truly help lower income households and is “a heartless proposition from people who just want to feel good when they go to bed.”

“When the minimum wage is increased, it will lead to lower employment, fewer hours, higher prices and for such a substantial increase, these will likely materialize,” he said.

Geloso said there are some misconceptions about the economic situation faced by the majority of those currently earning minimum wage. He cited a recent study showing that 88 per cent of minimum-wage earners do not live in a low-income household.

“Targeted solutions would include higher reimbursements of tax credits for GST and QST in Quebec. You can have targeted housing aids. A minimum wage is a blanket policy that doesn’t help the poorest of society.”

Organizers behind Saturday's march say support for the cause is growing, especially since Alberta and several U.S jurisdictions have already approved the change. Alberta's current minimum wage is $12.20 per hour and the provincial legislature plans to hike that up to $15 by 2018.

The Couillard government has rejected the $15 wage but has said it's examining a gradual increase over a number of years.

While Ontario and British Columbia have held similar marches, Geloso said each province is different and the hike may not have the damaging effects he anticipates in Quebec on those areas.

“In Alberta, a minimum wage of $15 is very much below the average wage," he said. "In Quebec, being a poorer place, if you raise the minimum wage to $15, it’s a dramatic shock.”

With files from The Canadian Press