The government of Newfoundland and Labrador is currently reviewing the province’s minimum wage, and the adjustment process for how it gets set.
Stakeholders are now being invited to share their perspectives by Dec. 2.
Restaurants Canada encourages businesses with operations in Newfoundland and Labrador to join in this consultation process and reinforce our recommendations below.
Comments can be emailed to: minimumwagereview@gov.nl.ca
Or learn about other ways to participate at: https://www.engagenl.ca/engagement-initiatives/minimum-wage-review
Recommendations from Restaurants Canada
- Continue to link minimum wage increases to increases in the national consumer price index, as this provides businesses with transparency and predictability so that they can plan their operations in ways that make the most sense for their staff and customers, more easily support philanthropic initiatives in their communities, and better contribute to economic prosperity through expansion and growth.
- Introduce a liquor server wage to recognize the significant amount of income that liquor servers earn from tips and gratuities.
- Introduce a training wage to recognize the high cost of training inexperienced workers.
About the minimum wage review
Currently, the minimum wage rate in Newfoundland and Labrador is $11.40 per hour, and the minimum overtime wage rate, which is established at 1.5 times the minimum wage, is $17.10 per hour.
In February 2018, the provincial government announced that future minimum wage increases would be tied to increases in the national consumer price index.
On Sept. 5, 2019 the Minister of Advanced, Education, Skills and Labour announced the appointment of an Independent Minimum Wage Committee to solicit targeted stakeholder input and report to the minister with observations, findings and recommendations on the current adjustment process for setting the minimum wage and the wage rate.
Restaurants Canada delivered a presentation on its recommendations directly to the Independent Minimum Wage Committee on Nov. 19.
If you have any questions or would like more information, you can get in touch with Luc Erjavec, Restaurants Canada Vice President, Atlantic Canada, at lerjavec@restaurantscanada.org.
Restaurants Canada Digital
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