Advanced Education, Skills and Labour
February 01, 2017
Working to Enhance Economic Well-being of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians
Provincial Government Announces Consultations on Indexing Minimum Wage
Consultations to help establish a clear and consistent method of determining future increases to the minimum wage will occur from February 6 to 23. The public are invited to provide online and written submissions, as well as participate in sessions in Corner Brook, Happy Valley-Goose Bay, Grand Falls-Windsor, Clarenville and St. John�s.
�Newfoundland and Labrador�s minimum wage is set to increase in April and October respectively and will bring us in-line with other Atlantic Provinces. Through these consultations we will identify a clear and transparent method to inform future adjustments in the provincial minimum wage based on an inflationary measure. I encourage all Newfoundland and Labradorians to have their say in this important process.�
- The Honourable Gerry Byrne, Minister of Advanced Education, Skills and Labour
The consultation schedule is listed in the backgrounder below. To view a consultation document and register to attend and/or present during a session, please visit www.aesl.gov.nl.ca/minimumwage. Online submissions may also be made at this link.
For individuals unable to attend in-person or use the online option, written submissions can be mailed to:
Department of Advanced Education, Skills and Labour
Labour Standards Division
Attention: Minimum Wage Consultation
St. John�s, NL A1B 4J6
Online and written submissions will be accepted until March 31, 2017. For more information, please email MinimumWage@gov.nl.ca or call 709-729-2742 or toll free at 1-877-563-1063.
QUICK FACTS
- Consultations to help establish a clear and consistent method of determining future increases to the minimum wage will occur from February 6 to 23.
- Public sessions will be held in Corner Brook, Happy Valley-Goose Bay, Grand Falls-Windsor, Clarenville and St. John�s. Online feedback may also be submitted at www.aesl.gov.nl.ca/minimumwage.
- 30 -
Media contact:
Regan Power Media Relations Manager Department of Advanced Education, Skills and Labour 709-729-1795, 730-4435 reganpower@gov.nl.ca |
BACKGROUNDER
About the consultations
- Newfoundland and Labrador�s minimum wage will increase to $10.75 on April 1, 2017, and to $11 on October 1, 2017. This will bring the province�s minimum wage in-line with the other Atlantic Provinces.
- These consultations are focused on developing a consistent indicator to inform future increases to the provincial minimum wage.
- Previous administrations did not use a consistent or pre-determined approach to establishing the timing and amount of minimum wage increases.
- Using a consistent indicator brings predictability to wage increases and removes the politics from the decision-making process. It also improves an employer�s ability to make the necessary operational changes to accommodate future increases.
- British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Ontario, Nova Scotia and Yukon all use a formula-based approach to set minimum wage, primarily in relation to percentage increases to the provincial Consumer Price Index, which is also known as the inflation rate.
Profile of minimum wage earners (2015)
- The minimum wage incidence in Newfoundland and Labrador in 2015 was six per cent of the workforce (12,822 persons).
- The largest age demographic of minimum wage earners were those aged 15-24 years old, which represented 49.5 per cent of total minimum wage earners (6,400 out of 12,822).
- Women made up the highest percentage of minimum wage earners. Some 66.3 per cent (8,500 of 12,822) were female.
- 78.8 per cent (10,100) of minimum wage earners were employed in the sales and service occupations, which includes retail and food services.
Schedule of In-person Consultation Sessions
Date | Location | Time |
Monday, February 6 | Corner Brook | 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. |
College of the North Atlantic | 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. | |
141 O�Connell Drive | ||
Wednesday, February 15 | Happy Valley�Goose Bay | 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. |
College of the North Atlantic | 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. | |
219 Hamilton River Road | ||
Monday, February 20 | Grand Falls�Windsor | 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. |
College of the North Atlantic | 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. | |
5 Cromer Avenue | ||
Tuesday, February 21 | Clarenville | 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. |
College of the North Atlantic | 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. | |
69 Pleasant Street | ||
Thursday, February 23 | St. John�s | 2:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. |
College of the North Atlantic | 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. | |
1 Prince Phillip Drive |
2017 02 01 12:20 a.m.