HALIFAX –
With the price of nearly every little thing rising, the Nova Scotia NDP needs to see minimal wage go up, as nicely.
“We realized simply final week when the meals financial institution numbers got here out that each month there are over 3,000 individuals in Nova Scotia who go to meals banks who determine themselves there as an individual that has a job,” mentioned Gary Burrill, Nova Scotia NDP chief.
“While you’ve bought a job and you are not making sufficient that you simply’re even in a position to get your groceries, one thing’s flawed.”
Tuesday afternoon, the NDP tabled laws to extend the minimal wage from $12.95/hr to $15/hr subsequent spring.
“I believe it is undoubtedly a step in the precise course. There’s been a variety of poverty advocates in Halifax asking for this,” mentioned Sue LaPierre, with United Approach Halifax.
LaPierre says there’s a distinction between a minimal wage and a dwelling wage. In Halifax, the dwelling wage is over $21 an hour.
“The dwelling wage is calculated based mostly on a formulation that permits a household to reside modestly, however pay for little one care, pay for transportation and have the opportunity take part in group. It is not a lavish way of life,” mentioned LaPierre.
Paul Trainor, the president of the Atlantic Enterprise Federation, mentioned a rise in minimal wage can be a double-edged sword for companies which can be struggling to outlive the pandemic.
“The issue with the rise of minimal wage is that it will put much more stress on small companies to pay their payments,” mentioned Trainor.
“There can be some positives, as I discussed as nicely too, as a result of bigger corporations, when these wages enhance, it places more cash again into the economic system.”
The premier mentioned he agrees individuals are struggling and that authorities wants to verify the economic system within the province is working nicely.
“We’re popping out of a pandemic. A lot of employers are struggling so, now we have to contemplate what can be the influence,” mentioned Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston.
“I do imagine that there’s important threat {that a} $15 minimal wage might be the tipping level that places corporations out of enterprise after which you’ve individuals out of labor.”
