Minimum Wage Increases Help Protect Lower Income Workers

Increases to the province's minimum wage will help protect lower income workers in Nova Scotia, says Labour Minister Russell MacKinnon.

The minimum wage will increase by 30 cents in three stages, the minister announced today. Effective Oct. 1, 1999, the rate will increase by 10 cents, to $5.60 an hour. Ten-cent increases will follow on Oct. 1, 2000, and Oct. 1, 2001, resulting in a $5.80 minimum wage.

The minimum wage for inexperienced workers will increase to $5.15 an hour on Oct. 1, 1999, from the current $5.05 an hour. That rate will also increase 10 cents an hour each on Oct. 1, 2000, and Oct. 1, 2001.

"As our economy grows, it's important that Nova Scotians at the low end of the wage scale also benefit from that growth," said Mr. MacKinnon. The increases keep pace with economic trends and bring Nova Scotia more in line with other provinces.

The changes will affect about 21,000 Nova Scotian workers who are contributing to the economy of the province, but who are doing so at minimum wage.

"We also felt it was important to give employers the time and notice needed to adjust to the changes," said the minister. "We recognize that they need time to manage and plan for the increase."

The national average minimum wage is $6.05 an hour -- 55 cents higher than Nova Scotia's current rate. Four provinces -- Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland, Manitoba and Alberta -- have a minimum-wage rate lower than Nova Scotia's. Alberta's will increase to $5.65 on April 1, 1999.

Today's announcement was made after in-depth review and careful consideration. The minimum wage was last increased two years ago.