News release

Minimum Wage Increasing on April 1

Labour, Skills and Immigration

Nova Scotia’s minimum wage will increase to $15.20 per hour on April 1.

The increase follows the formula previously recommended by the Minimum Wage Review Committee and accepted by the government. Starting this year, the rate is to be adjusted by the national consumer price index plus one percentage point from the minimum wage rate set the preceding April. That means an increase this year of 4.7 per cent from the April 2023 rate.

“This year has been very difficult for many Nova Scotians – business owners and workers alike,” said Minister Balser. “I am grateful to the Minimum Wage Review Committee for putting forward the perspective of both employers and employees so we can ensure a balanced approach to increasing the minimum wage.”

The committee, which has equal employee and employer representation, filed its 2023 report with the Minister on December 11.

Quick Facts:

  • under the Labour Standards Code, the Minimum Wage Review Committee is mandated to conduct an annual review of the minimum wage in Nova Scotia
  • the minimum wage increased to $15 per hour on October 1, 2023
  • an average of six per cent of workers, or 26,200 Nova Scotians, worked for minimum wage during the period from April 2022 to March 2023; they worked primarily in retail trade and the food and accommodation industries

Additional Resources:

The Minimum Wage Review Committee’s report is available at: https://novascotia.ca/lae/pubs

More information on Nova Scotia’s minimum wage is available at: https://novascotia.ca/lae/employmentrights/minimumwage.asp

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