Interest high for minimum wage committee

A P.E.I. legislative committee investigating a two-tiered minimum wage for the province is generating a lot of interest.

'I would want to try to minimize fears out there.' MLA Robbie Henderson

More than 50 groups or individuals have expressed a desire to make presentations to the committee and about two dozenpeople have written emails.

Committee chair Robbie Henderson told CBC News Thursday it's too soon to predict what recommendations will come from the hearings, but did say he believes it's safe to assume there won't be a lower wage than the current $8.40 per hour.

"I think that would be an unlikely premise, to think that the minimum wages would go lower," said Henderson.

"I would want to try to minimize fears out there that people would see minimum wages go down. It would be highly unrealistic and unlikely."

Henderson says he expects the business community will support the idea of a two-tiered minimum wage, with a lower hourly rate going to less-experienced workers.

Unions have already come out in opposition to the idea.

Presentations to the committee begin next Wednesday.