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.

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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

DateLocationTime
Monday, February 6Corner Brook10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
College of the North Atlantic7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
141 O�Connell Drive
Wednesday, February 15 Happy Valley�Goose Bay2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
College of the North Atlantic7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
219 Hamilton River Road
Monday, February 20Grand Falls�Windsor2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
College of the North Atlantic7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
5 Cromer Avenue
Tuesday, February 21Clarenville2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
College of the North Atlantic7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
69 Pleasant Street
Thursday, February 23St. John�s2:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
College of the North Atlantic7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
1 Prince Phillip Drive

2017 02 01                              12:20 a.m.