NB 1489
Dec. 1, 2006
FREDERICTON (CNB) - Two planned increases to the province's minimum wage were announced today by Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour Minister Ed Doherty, who also pledged a rate review at least once a year by the Minimum Wage Board.
"One of my first actions as minister was to ask the Minimum Wage Board to convene to make recommendations on raising the minimum wage level in the province," Doherty said. "In order to fulfill our commitment outlined under the Charter for Change, I have also asked this independent board to meet at least once a year to review the minimum wage and, when appropriate, gather stakeholder input to provide recommendations that will guide government decisions on these increases in the future."
After considering the recommendations provided by the board, government approved an increase to the provincial minimum wage rate to $7 per hour on Jan. 1, 2007, and another increase to $7.25 per hour on July 1, 2007. Once both increases take effect, the minimum wage rate will be up about eight per cent from the current level of $6.70 per hour.
"Our government committed to listen to the Minimum Wage Board before decisions were made on minimum wage adjustments. Today's announcement demonstrates that we are keeping that commitment," Doherty said. "When providing its advice, this independent board - which is made up of an equal representation of employer and employee groups - will continue to make recommendations that balance the needs of workers while respecting the right of employers to adjust to future wage increases."
Doherty added that this announcement will help provide wage increases to those most in need, and will benefit thousands of New Brunswickers. He said that the increases fit well with the government's strategy of putting the province on the road to self-sufficiency. He also noted that it was important that the board recognized adjustments were necessary as New Brunswick's minimum wage level was falling behind other provinces in the Atlantic region.
"I appreciate that these are significant increases to the minimum wage level, but by having a board regularly provide this valuable advice, I am hopeful we can bring our province's minimum wage level back in line with other jurisdictions in the region," Doherty said. "It will also allow us to respond more effectively so we don't find ourselves in similar circumstances in the future. Our government realizes that we must consider the rights of employers, but we also have to ensure that workers have a fair and competitive wage in our province."
For more information on the minimum wage, paid public holidays, and the Employment Standards Act, contact the Employment Standards Branch of the Department of Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour at 1-888-452-2687, or visit the Employment Standards Branch website.
06/12/01
MEDIA CONTACT: Shawn Hearn, director, marketing and public information, Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour, 506-453-2568.
06/12/01