Minimum wage increases to $11.55 on April 1

Thirty-cent raise was announced in November

Prince Edward Island’s minimum wage will increase by 30 cents to $11.55 per hour on April 1.

The raise, which was announced in November, will keep P.E.I.’s minimum wage as the highest in Atlantic Canada.

All four Atlantic provinces will increase their minimum wage on April 1. Newfoundland and Labrador’s wage will increase to $11.15 after that date, while New Brunswick will go to $11.25 an hour and Nova Scotia to $11 an hour, with both those provinces committing to adjust the wage annually relative to the Consumer Price Index.

Across the country, the highest minimum wage is $14 in Ontario, while the lowest is $10.96 in Saskatchewan.

The Employment Standards Board recommended the P.E.I. increase based on economic factors in the province and on input received from the public. The board will review the minimum wage this summer, and any further changes to the minimum wage will be announced in late 2018 and put into effect in April 2019.

“Business confidence in Prince Edward Island is high, our economy is the fastest growing in the region and more Islanders are working,” said Workforce and Advanced Learning Minister Sonny Gallant. “Given this historic growth, it is very important that all Islanders benefit from improved economic conditions. Increasing the minimum wage is one way to ensure more money goes back into the pockets of Islanders.”

More information on the minimum wage and other employment standards is available at peiemploymentstandards.ca.