Minimum Wage Increasing April 1

Nova Scotia's minimum wage is increasing to keep pace with the cost of living.

Government accepted the Minimum Wage Review Committee's recommendation to increase the minimum wage by 20 cents, to $10.60 an hour on April 1.

The minimum wage for someone who has less than three months' experience will also increase by 20 cents an hour, to $10.10.

Minimum wage rates are adjusted annually, and are based on the previous year's national consumer price index.

Nova Scotia has the fifth highest minimum wage in the country, behind Nunavut, Yukon, Manitoba and Ontario.

The Minimum Wage Review Committee, which includes employee and employer representatives, filed its report with Labour and Advanced Education Minister Kelly Regan on Jan. 12. The report is online at www.novascotia.ca/lae/pubs .