Business · Economy · 11 hrs ago
Many workers in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick earn below living wages
Reports in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick found many workers earn below a living wage, the estimated hourly pay needed to cover basic household costs.
In Nova Scotia, the average living wage rose nearly 4 per cent this year, while about half of workers earn less than that amount.
Halifax had the province’s highest rate, at $30 an hour, and northern Nova Scotia saw the sharpest increase, reaching $28 as rent costs rose.
New Brunswick’s living wage was set at $24.84 an hour, nearly $9 above its $15.90 minimum wage.
In 2025, 40 per cent of New Brunswick workers earned less than the living wage; many were adults working full-time, not students.
These estimates cover basic needs but leave out costs such as disability-related expenses, retirement savings and children’s education.
Labour advocates want governments to raise minimum wages and provide more support, while a New Brunswick labour leader says higher pay could also boost local spending.
Reports in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick found that many workers earn less than the hourly pay needed to cover basic household needs.
About half of workers in Nova Scotia earn below the living wage, while 40 per cent of workers in New Brunswick did so in 2025.
Halifax had Nova Scotia’s highest living wage, at $30 an hour, and Fredericton had New Brunswick’s highest, at $26.32.
New Brunswick’s living wage was $24.84 an hour, nearly $9 above the province’s $15.90 minimum wage.
Housing and transportation costs contributed to rising living wages, with rent cited as a major factor in northern Nova Scotia and Fredericton.
- Who
- Workers in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, along with researchers and labour representatives.
- What
- Reports found that many workers earn less than the living wage, an estimate of the hourly pay needed for basic household needs.
- When
- The Nova Scotia report was released Monday. New Brunswick’s figures cover 2025.
- Where
- Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, Canada.
- Why
- Housing, transportation and other basic costs contribute to the gap between wages and living costs.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The New Brunswick report found that 40 per cent of workers earned less than the living wage.
Nova Scotia’s $17-an-hour minimum wage came into effect.
The Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives released its report on Nova Scotia’s living wage.
- Nova Scotia workers below living wage
- About 50 per cent
- New Brunswick workers below living wage
- 40 per cent in 2025
- Halifax living wage
- $30 an hour
- Northern Nova Scotia living wage
- $28 an hour, nearly 10 per cent higher
- New Brunswick living wage
- $24.84 an hour
- New Brunswick minimum wage
- $15.90 an hour
What people are saying
If you are not earning this conservative estimate of what it takes, then really, truly, you’re struggling
We see the cost of fuel, housing, child care, groceries
Any extra expense related to a disability is not included. There’s no retirement savings, there’s no savings for a down payment, there are no savings for children’s education
It’s the bare minimum that somebody can make in order to keep themselves afloat.