Minimum Wage to Rise May 1

Nova Scotia's minimum wage will rise to $7.60 per hour beginning May 1, Mark Parent, Minister of Environment and Labour, said today, Feb. 16.

"Government has accepted the recommendation of Nova Scotia's Minimum Wage Review Committee, and I thank the committee for their excellent work," Mr. Parent said. "This is an increase of 45 cents per hour, or 6.3 per cent over the previous rate."

The minimum wage for inexperienced workers -- those with less than three months employed in the type of work they are hired to do -- will rise to $7.15 per hour from $6.70.

About 20,000 employees work for minimum wage in Nova Scotia, about five per cent of the workforce.

Nova Scotia's minimum wage is reviewed annually by a four-person committee, two representing labour and two representing employers.

Mr. Parent said the volunteer committee has agreed to consider ideas to make minimum wage changes more predictable.

"We've asked the committee to explore the feasibility of developing a three-year minimum wage plan that might also include a formula for determining the rate," he said.

Mr. Parent said if such a plan were adopted it would bring more predictability. Annual reviews required by the Labour Standards Code would still be conducted and if the plan needed an adjustment, it could be made then.

The new minimum wage will take effect May 1 instead of April 1, as recommended by the committee.

Mr. Parent said the later date will give employers more time to prepare, but still have the rate in place for summer employment.