Surprise changes to Nova Scotia’s minimum wage and partial hours rules announced
Nova Scotia’s Premier’s Office has today made an unexpected announcement regarding several changes to be made to Nova Scotia’s minimum wage and partial hours rules, with effect from April 1, 2020.
Additional increase in minimum wage
The announcement included an unexpected increase in the minimum wage, to take effect from April 1, 2020, raising the minimum wage up to $12.55 per hour. While employers were expecting the minimum wage to rise by $0.55 from $11.55 to $12.10 in April, it will now increase by a further $0.45 per hour. This $1.00 per hour increase represents the largest increase in the Nova Scotia minimum wage in the past ten years and means Nova Scotia will no longer have the lowest minimum wage in the country.
Elimination of the inexperienced minimum wage differential
Currently, employers are able to pay new employees with less than three months relevant experience, $0.50 an hour less than the minimum wage (i.e. $11.05) for up to the first three months of employment. This will no longer be permitted from April 1, 2020. The minimum wage for all employees will be $12.55 per hour, irrespective of prior experience.
Changes to the partial hours rules
Under the present Minimum Wage Regulations, the partial hours rule states that when calculating the minimum wage, “a period of 15 minutes and not more than 30 minutes shall be counted as a ½ hour and a period of more than 30 minutes but less than 60 minutes shall be counted as 1 hour”. This had the effect that where an employee worked for less than 30 minutes this would be paid in 15 minute increments but once over 30 minutes they had to be paid for a full hour.
The announcement confirms that the Regulations will be amended to eliminate the partial hours rule entirely. Employees will now be paid only for the hours (or minutes) that they have worked.
The full news release can be found here.
This update is intended for general information only. If you have questions about the above, please contact a member of our Labour & Employment group.
Click here to subscribe to Stewart McKelvey Thought Leadership.
Archive
During the Fall 2014 legislative sitting, the Province of Prince Edward Island passed legislation that results in significant changes to the Lands Protection Act. The amendments have just been proclaimed and were effective January 1, 2015.…
Read MoreThe Editor’s Corner Clarence Bennett This issue focuses on the family and the interaction between employment and family obligations. As 2014 comes to a close, I would like to extend Seasons Greetings to all of…
Read MoreRECENT DEVELOPMENTS: DISABILITY INSURANCE POLICIES & LIMITATION PERIODS IN NOVA SCOTIA Two recent Nova Scotia decisions have clarified the issue of limitation periods in disability insurance policies and “rolling” limitation periods. THORNTON V. RBC…
Read MoreSection 156 of the Excise Tax Act (the “ETA“) provides an election that relieves certain related parties from having to collect Harmonized Sales Tax (“HST“) on the goods and services sold between them. The election deems qualifying…
Read MoreIN THIS ISSUE: More Than Wind – Emergence of Tidal Energy in Atlantic Canada by Sadira Jan Aquaculture and Salmon Farming in Atlantic Canada by Greg Harding The Expanding Atlantic Canada Offshore Industry: Growing Offshore without Going Offside by Stephen Penney and Rebecca…
Read MoreThe Supreme Court of Canada’s unanimous decision in the breach of contract case Bhasin v Hrynew, 2014 SCC 71 was released on November 13, 2014. The case is important in the law of contracts because…
Read MoreOn June 20, 2014, the Government of Canada announced a series of reforms to overhaul the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (“TFWP”). These reforms, many of which are effective immediately, function to: Re-organize the TFWP The…
Read MoreThe Editor’s Corner Clarence Bennett Summer is halfway over, but we know you will want to take this edition along with you while you enjoy more summer weather and time out of the office. Employers…
Read MoreOn June 26, 2014, the Supreme Court of Canada released one of the most significant aboriginal law decisions since Marshall – Tsilhqot’in Nation v. British Columbia, 2014 SCC 44 (also known as the William decision). This decision could have…
Read MoreIn Industrial Alliance Insurance and Financial Services Inc. v. Brine, 2014 NSSC 219, National Life (and later its successor Industrial Alliance) alleged Brine had received undisclosed CPP and Superannuation disability benefits resulting in a substantial overpayment of…
Read More