P.E.I. minimum wage rising to $9

The Prince Edward Island governmentwill raisethe minimum wagetwice in 2010, bringing the rate to $9 an hour.

Workers will see the minimum wage rise to $8.70 from $8.40 on June 1; the rate will jump to $9 on Oct. 1.

By phasing in the increase, business owners will have more time to integrate the additional cost into their budgets, Community Services Minister Janice Sherry said.

"We realize that the minimum wage impacts many workers on Prince Edward Island, particularly young workers and those who rely on seasonal employment," Sherry said in a statement.

"We also recognize that employers need time to incorporate increases into their operational plans and that is why government has chosen to implement the wage increase in two stages. This will provide the Island business community more time to integrate the salary adjustments into their budgets."

The P.E.I. Federation of Labour has argued workers need at least $10 an hour.

Sherry said the upcoming increases will help put P.E.I. more in line with other Maritime provinces.

New Brunswick's minimum wage will hit $9 by Sept. 1, 2010 and on Sept. 1, 2011 the minimum wage will increase to $10.

Nova Scotia's minimum wage will rise to $9.65 for experienced workers and $9.15 for inexperienced workers on Oct. 1.