Two 25-cent bumps will increase Nova Scotia’s minimum wage to $17 an hour by Oct. 1, 2026.

The first bump will take place on April 1, hiking the minimum wage to $16.75 an hour, with the second coming six months later, the Labour Department said Tuesday in a news release.

The two-stage approach was recommended by a review committee of employer and employee representatives to provide businesses with a longer period to adapt after a major increase this year, the release said.

In 2025, Nova Scotia’s minimum wage increased by $1.30 per hour.

The total hike of 50 cents an hour in 2026 will represent an increase of three per cent from the current minimum hourly wage of $16.50.

“Cost of living continues to be a major concern for families,” Labour Minister Nolan Young said in the release. “These changes reflect a balanced, responsible approach that helps workers keep more money in their pockets while supporting predictability for employers.”

According to the department, minimum wage earners in Nova Scotia work primarily in the retail, accommodations and food industries.

Source: CBC News