Minimum wage on Prince Edward Island will increase in three phases from June 2011 to April 2012 to $10.00 said Minister of Community Services, Seniors and Labour, Janice Sherry.
The Executive Council has approved the decision to implement the dollar increase as follows:
1. $9.30 per hour effective June 1, 2011
2. $9.60 per hour effective October 1, 2011
3. $10.00 per hour effective April 1, 2012.
“We recognize that employers need time to incorporate increases into their operational plans and that is why Government has chosen to implement the wage increase in three stages,” said Minister Sherry. “This will provide the Island business community more time to integrate the salary adjustments into their budgets.
Furthermore, the increase will help to further support more hard working Islanders across the province.”
The recommended increases are a part of a long-term plan fulfilling the provincial government's commitment to raise the minimum wage to the Atlantic average, which is $10.00 per hour.
The Employment Standards Board which is made up of representatives of employers and employees, with a neutral chairperson, meets to review the Minimum Wage rate each year and make recommendations to government.
The Board considers the social and economic effects of the minimum wage rates in the province, cost of living increases, current economic conditions, and the minimum wages in the Atlantic Provinces.
Approximately 62,000 Island employees are covered by the Employment Standards Act (not working under a collective agreement).
BACKGROUNDER
Minimum Wage Rates in the Atlantic Provinces
New Brunswick:
April 1, 2011 – $9.50
September 1, 2011 – $10.00
Newfoundland:
July 1, 2010 – $10.00
Nova Scotia:
October 1, 2010 – $9.65/experienced and $9.15/inexperienced
Prince Edward Island:
June 1, 2011 – $9.30
October 1, 2011 – $9.60
April 1, 2012 – $10.00
According to Statistics Canada, Labour Force Survey, 2009, Prince Edward Island had a total of 59,300 employees, with 5.2% (3,100) of the employees on minimum wage.