Minimum wage rises to $11.25 per hour

Minimum wage on Prince Edward Island will increase by 25 cents on April 1, to $11.25 per hour.

The province’s minimum wage has increased 38 per cent since 2008. By comparison, inflation has risen 11 per cent during that time.

“Our government is pleased to approve this increase in minimum wage, which is intended to improve the quality of life for many Islanders and provide a boost to the economy,” Workforce and Advanced Learning Minister Sonny Gallant said. “Increasing minimum wage puts more money into the economy and into the pockets of Islanders. ”

The other three Atlantic provinces also will raise their minimum wages on April 1:

• New Brunswick’s will rise to $11;

• in Nova Scotia, the rate will increase to $10.35 for inexperienced workers and $10.85 for experienced workers; and

• in Newfoundland and Labrador, minimum wage will rise to $10.75 with a second increase to $11 planned for October 1.

"Government is moving in the right direction increasing minimum wage," said Carl Pursey, president of the Prince Edward Island Federation of Labour. "This is good news for people who are struggling to pay their bills, and it will put more money into the economy because people spend what they make." 

The Employment Standards Act requires the Employment Standards Board to review the minimum wage rate each year. It makes recommendations on the minimum wage rate based on economic factors in the province and on input received from the public and stakeholders.
Government increased the basic personal tax exemption to $8,000 last year. It was the first increase since 2008 and it exempted 700 low-income Islanders from paying provincial income tax.

A history of the minimum wage on Prince Edward Island is available at Prince Edward Island Minimum Wage.

Media contact:
Kim Devine
Department of Workforce and Advanced Learning
902-620-3688
kmdevine@gov.pe.ca