Prince Edward Island’s minimum wage will increase by 60 cents to $12.85 per hour on April 1, 2020. With this increase, the province’s minimum wage will remain the highest in Atlantic Canada and the fourth highest in the country.
Every year, the P.E.I. Employment Standards Board reviews the Island’s minimum wage and provides a recommendation to government after the review is complete.
The planned increase was announced on Nov. 8, not long after Restaurants Canada delivered a presentation to the board, which recommended linking minimum wage increases to an economic indicator, such as the consumer price index, and introducing lower liquor server and training wages.
Economic Growth, Tourism and Culture Minister Matthew MacKay said the province is asking the board to consider a multi-year approach to trending minimum wage increases, including any legislative changes required to do so.
“By providing the business community with a sense of where minimum wage may be going down the road, it will help businesses be more proactive in planning for the future as they strive for long-term growth and success,” he said.
Restaurants Canada welcomes this as a positive sign from the Island’s new minority government to work toward a more transparent and predictable approach to minimum wage increases going forward.
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.