PEI to Increase Minimum Wage to $17.00 by April 1, 2026

Continuing with its stated goal of always having the highest minimum wage in Atlantic Canada, the PEI government announced a two-step process that will increase the province’s base wage to $17.00 per hour by April 1, 2026.  On October 1, 2025, minimum wage will increase from $16.00 to $16.50 per hour and on April 1, 2026, the rate will increase from $16.50 to $17.00 per hour.  The province’s Employment Standards Board recommended that the increase to $17.00 per hour occur on October 1, 2025 but the government decided to divide the increase into a two step process.  The October 2025 adjustment will mark a 3.1% increase in the province’s base wage even though the annual change in CPI for 2024 was only 1.8%.  The move to $17.00 per hour in 2026 will involve another 3% increase in the base wage.  RCC continues to advocate for PEI to provide predictability to businesses by following an objective formula for determining its base wage.  Despite RCC’s efforts, the PEI government’s sole motivation continues to seemingly be based on its belief that PEI must have the highest minimum wage in Atlantic Canada.  

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