Minimum wage increase in Nova Scotia effective April 1, 2017

The Nova Scotia government announced that effective April 1, 2017, minimum wage will increase to $10.85 (from $10.70) and the inexperienced wage rate will increase to $10.35 (from $10.20).

In 2004, the Minister of Labour established a Minimum Wage Review Committee consisting of equal representation from employers and employees. Its mandate is to conduct an annual review and prepare a report for the Minister with recommendations on the minimum wage. Nova Scotia’s minimum wage is set by regulation. In September 2011, the minimum wage regulations were amended to provide a mechanism for adjusting the minimum wage. As a result of those amendments, the minimum wage is now adjusted by the annual national inflation (Consumer Price Index) rate.

Employees can be paid the inexperienced rate only if they have worked for the employer for less than three months and have less than three months total experience with the kind of work they have been hired to do.

Information about Nova Scotia Labour Standards can be seen and printed from the Department of Labour and Advanced Education's website under "Guide to the Labour Standards Code of Nova Scotia".

To speak with the Department of Labour and Advanced Education within Nova Scotia, call toll free 1-888-315-0110 or (local to Halifax) 902-424-4311 to discuss minimum wage or other employer issues with an LAE Inquiry Officer.