Nova Scotia to raise minimum wage

Halifax - Nova Scotians currently being paid minimum wage will get a raise on April 1. The move is in line with Nova Scotia's ongoing Poverty Reduction Strategy that was put in place in 2009. Nova Scotia is an eastern province in Canada.

Nova Scotians who are now earning the current minimum wage rate of $8.60 per hour will see an increase of 6.9 per cent as of April 1, bringing their hourly wage to $9.20. Wages for workers with less than three months experience will see their hourly rate rise to $8.70. Labour and Workforce Development Minister Marilyn More said in a press release, "Raising the minimum wage at this time will help Nova Scotians support themselves and their families." Approximately 22,000 Nova Scotians currently earn minimum wage in the province. Ms. More said in the release, "As a review committee pointed out, Nova Scotia fared better than most provinces during the global recession. A recovery is underway and minimum wage workers should share the benefits of Nova Scotia's comparatively strong economic performance." Nova Scotia's Poverty Reduction Strategy that was put in place in 2009 highlights the need for people to find work and be rewarded for it. The Nova Scotia government says that by October, a full-time employee earning minimum wage will be "within reach" of the projected low-income cut off for a single person which represents the threshold where people are devoting a larger than average portion of their pay to food, shelter, and clothing. Nova Scotians can also look forward to another increase Oct. 1 of 4.8 per cent bringing the minimum wage rate to $9.65.