3 Atlantic provinces raise minimum wage to $15 an hour

The minimum wage in three Atlantic provinces has been raised to $15an hour, starting Sunday.

Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland and Labrador announced earlier this year they would raise the minimum wage by 50 cents on Oct. 1.

New Brunswick previously had the highest minimum wage in the Atlantic provinces following an increase to $14.75 in April. It now has the lowest.

This is the second time the minimum wage has risen in Nova Scotia, P.E.I. and N.L. in 2023.

The largestoverall increase is in Nova Scotia where minimum wage workers earn $1.40 more per hour compared to the end of 2022.

Nova Scotia has also agreed to increase the minimum wage each April based on the Consumer Price Index percentage change for the previous calendar year, plus one per cent.

In a statement Sunday, the Canadian Federation ofIndependent Business said the minimum wage increasecreates challenges for small business owners.

The business association said there could be fewer job opportunities,reduced hours and business closures as a result.

The federation recommends other policies to support low income workers such as increasing the personal tax credit or exemption.