April Fools: No living wage for workers in Nova Scotia

HALIFAX – Workers earning a minimum wage in Nova Scotia are going another year without a clear path to a living wage. Although the $0.25 increase will provide some relief to workers and their families, this is the smallest percentage increase to the minimum wage in Atlantic Canada.

“While it’s true the minimum wage is going up, this increase is in no way sufficient to address the skyrocketing prices facing workers in our province,” said Melissa Marsman, President of the Nova Scotia Federation of Labour. “When workers cannot afford food, rent, gas, or heat, that is a sign of a real affordability crisis.”

The Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives calculates a living wage in Nova Scotia at $27.60/hour. The gap between the province’s living wage and minimum wage, $10.85/hour, is the largest in Atlantic Canada, and represents an annual shortfall of $19,747.00 for workers earning the minimum wage.

“The problem of low wages is especially serious for families with children and single parents,” said Marsman. “The government needs to develop and implement a plan that would see all workers in Nova Scotia earn at least a living wage.”

In October 2025, workers from across Nova Scotia came together at the Nova Scotia Federation of Labour Convention and passed a resolution calling on the provincial government to work with unions and community groups to create a plan for a living wage for all workers in Nova Scotia.

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The Nova Scotia Federation of Labour is the central provincial voice for Nova Scotia workers. The Fed represents thousands of union members, lobbying the provincial government for justice and fairness for workers across the province.

For more information, or to arrange an interview with NSFL President Melissa Marsman, please contact:

David Etherington, NSFL Communications Coordinator, (cell) 902-292-7991, david@nslabour.ca