New Brunswick to Increase Minimum Wage By 55 Cents on April 1

New Brunswick has announced an upcoming increase in its minimum wage.

Set to take effect on April 1, the new rate will be $15.30 per hour, up from the current $14.75.

This adjustment, as explained by Arlene Dunn, Minister of Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour, is part of a broader strategy initiated in 2019 to maintain competitive wage levels within Atlantic Canada.

The basis for this increase is the province’s consumer price index, which showed a growth of 3.6% in 2023. By indexing the minimum wage to this measure and rounding it to the nearest five cents, the government says it aims to shield earners from the adverse effects of inflation while providing a predictable scale for business planning.

This latest rise represents a 36% increase in the minimum wage since 2019. New Brunswick reviews the linkage between the minimum wage and the consumer price index every two years.

Per the news release, this ensures that wage adjustments remain aligned with the economic realities of the province, with the next review scheduled for this year.