• Minimum wage hikes set to begin across 5 provinces

  Source: Nova Scotia - Halifax & Regional News
  Date: 2026-10-01 12:34:05.0
  Tags: [National, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, Labour, Economy, Affordability]

  Minimum wage increases ranging from 25 to 40 cents take effect in Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan, bringing their respective rates to $17.95, $17.30, $17.00, $16.40, and $15.70 per hour. Ontario has tied its adjustment directly to the rising cost of living. With these changes, Alberta maintains the lowest minimum wage in the country at $15.00 an hour, having not increased it since 2019, while Nunavut leads the country at just over $20.00 an hour following an increase at the beginning of September.

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• Eastern Canada business leaders call for ‘single economy’ between Atlantic provinces

  Source: Nova Scotia - Halifax & Regional News
  Date: 2026-09-25 14:16:00.0
  Tags: [Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Prince Edward Island, Economy, Trade, Labour, Infrastructure, Energy, Immigration]

  The Atlantic Economic Panel, appointed by federal minister Sean Fraser and chaired by Crane Cove Holdings Ltd. president Don Mills, released a report calling for the creation of a 'One Atlantic Canada' single economy by 2035 across Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland and Labrador. To combat low productivity, labour shortages, and regulatory barriers, the report outlines seven major recommendations, including a $1-billion Atlantic Prosperity Fund, a $25-billion integrated electricity system managed by a region-wide independent system operator, the removal of all trade and labour mobility barriers, and regional infrastructure partnerships. Additional targets include growing the region's population past 3 million with a 1.8 percent annual growth rate, doubling exports to Europe to over $30 billion, mobilizing $100 billion in new natural resource investments, and enhancing the aerospace, defence, shipbuilding, and artificial intelligence sectors.

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• Tariff fight looms over Nova Scotia legislature’s return

  Source: Nova Scotia - Halifax & Regional News
  Date: 2026-09-08 22:14:40.0
  Tags: [Nova Scotia, Economy, Trade, Labour, Governance, Mining]

  As the Nova Scotia legislature convened for its fall sitting at Province House, the economy, U.S. trade tariffs, and workers' rights dominated legislative debate. Premier Tim Houston's government faced questioning regarding retaliatory Canadian tariffs on American goods, with Finance Minister John Lohr confirming that the province's $50 million tariff relief contingency fund has not yet been tapped despite ongoing consultations with affected supply chains. Concurrently, the provincial government tabled legislation to lower the overtime threshold from 48 hours to 44 hours a week, drawing criticism from opposition leaders who noted it lags behind other jurisdictions. Outside Province House, demonstrators gathered to protest unilateral policy decisions, specifically demanding the reinstatement of the provincial uranium mining ban following a petition containing over 10,000 signatures.

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• N.S. tables bill to increase protection for some workers

  Source: Nova Scotia - Halifax & Regional News
  Date: 2026-09-08 19:39:07.0
  Tags: [Nova Scotia, Labour, Economy, Governance]

  The Nova Scotia government, led by Labour Minister Nolan Young, has tabled legislation to increase worker protections by reducing the overtime threshold from 48 hours to 44 hours per week. The bill introduces measures to guard against tip theft, expands overtime eligibility to cover voluntary extra hours, and provides new tools for the government to recover unpaid earnings. However, the proposed protections exclude workers in the construction and agriculture sectors. The overtime and tip protection rules are scheduled to take effect on April 1, while wage recovery measures will be implemented through separate regulations.

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