
      An effective price floor sets the price above the market-clearing price. A minimum wage is the most widespread example in the Canadian economy. Provinces each set their own minimum, and it is
      seen as a way of protecting the well-being of low-skill workers. Such a floor is illustrated in Figure 3.7. The free-market equilibrium is again Eo, but the effective market outcome is the combination of price and quantity
      corresponding to the point  at the price floor,
 at the price floor,  . In this instance, there is excess supply equal to the amount
 . In this instance, there is excess supply equal to the amount  C.
 C.
    
 
      
      In a free market the equilibrium is Eo. A minimum wage of  raises the hourly wage, but reduces the hours demanded to
      raises the hourly wage, but reduces the hours demanded to  .
      Thus
 .
      Thus  is the excess supply.
is the excess supply.
    
Note that there is a similarity between the outcomes defined in the floor and ceiling cases: The quantity actually traded is the lesser of the supply quantity and demand quantity at the going price: the short side dominates.
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