McNeil rejects NDP bill on minimum wage
Posted May 12, 2016 07:45:19 PM.
Last Updated May 12, 2016 07:51:33 PM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
HALIFAX – Premier Stephen McNeil is rejecting a bid by the New Democrats to boost the provincial minimum wage to $15 an hour by 2019.
McNeil says the increase would hurt small business and there are more effective ways to assist people with lower incomes.
The NDP introduced a private member’s bill on Tuesday to increase minimum wage in increments from the current $10.70 cents an hour.
McNeil says a better way to help low income Nova Scotians would be to increase the basic personal tax exemption — but he says the province will have to get back to fiscal health before he commits to making any change.
The Canadian Federation of Independent Business also came out Thursday in opposition, saying NDP Leader Gary Burrill’s private members bill seeking to hike the minimum wage would be counter-productive.
Director of provincial affairs with CFIB in Atlantic Canada Nick Langley said the province is well off in terms of planning increases to the minimum wage, and that NDP bill — which seeks to have wages increased to 15-dollars an hour by 2019 — could end up closing the doors of businesses.
“We have a committee that makes advice to the minister where each year that is tied to inflation and so it’s predictable for business owners,” said Langley. “So if you want people to stay, you need to have jobs available for them.”
Langley says an increase to the minimum wage to a $15 level would actually make it more difficult to keep youth in the province, as it would affect their local job opportunities directly.
Earlier Thursday, Burrill challenged McNeil to a debate, after the premier brushed off the NDP legislation.
When asked about the challenge following cabinet Thursday, the premier said he’s more than happy to oblige but only under the condition that he first earn his way to the legislature.
“I’d look forward to debating Mr. Burrill four times a week — all he needs to do is get elected,” challenged McNeil.
The Premier says Burrill will have a chance to win a seat in either an upcoming by-election or in the next provincial election, though Burrill has already stated he has no intention of running in the by-election.
McNeil is scheduled to meet with the other Atlantic premiers on Monday where he says they will discuss working collaboratively on issues around immigration and health care procurement.
