The Nova Scotia provincial government has confirmed that the province’s minimum wage will be increased in two phases next year, officially reaching $17 per hour in October 2026. This is the latest adjustment following the continuation of the current adjustment mechanism.
The current minimum wage is $16.50, which is the level after the $1.30 increase in October of this year. According to the timetable released by the provincial government, the minimum wage will first increase by 25 cents to $16.75 on April 1, 2026, and then increase by another 25 cents on October 1 of the same year, reaching $17.
The provincial government stated that the increase was based on the unanimous recommendation of the Minimum Wage Review Board. This board, composed of representatives from both labour and management, advocated continuing to use the established formula of “inflation rate (CPI) + 1%” and implementing it in two phases to give businesses more time to cope with last year’s significant adjustments.
According to provincial government data, minimum wage workers in Nova Scotia are primarily concentrated in the retail, accommodation, and food service industries. Among them, 57% are women, 39% have a college degree or higher, and 38% are over 30 years old; 72% hold permanent positions, and 41% work full-time.