N.S. wages grew faster than inflation for the 2nd consecutive year, but remain lowest in Canada

The Struggle for Nova Scotia Workers Continues Despite Wage Growth

For the past few years, Lakhanpal Singh has been working tirelessly to make ends meet in Dartmouth, N.S. He juggles two jobs as a plumbing apprentice and a security guard, working a grueling 70 hours per week. Despite also trying to generate income through social media content creation, Singh finds himself feeling like a “working machine,” with his health suffering as a result.

Despite his efforts, Singh still struggles to afford rent on his own, highlighting the ongoing challenges faced by many workers in Nova Scotia. In recent years, workers in the province have effectively experienced a pay cut as prices rose faster than wages.

However, there is a glimmer of hope on the horizon. A CBC News analysis of Statistics Canada data shows that the median wage in Nova Scotia grew faster than inflation in 2024 for the second year in a row. While this is positive news, labour economist Lars Osberg points out that the impact of inflation has been disproportionately felt by low-wage workers.

Osberg explains that low-wage workers spend a larger portion of their income on essentials like groceries and rent, which have seen rapid price increases. In 2024, half of Nova Scotia workers earned $25.64 an hour or less, a 1.8% increase from the previous year when adjusted for inflation.

The minimum wage in Nova Scotia has also started to keep pace with inflation after a period of decline, providing a boost to the incomes of the lowest-paid workers. Osberg notes that minimum wage increases have not led to higher unemployment rates in jurisdictions in the United States and Canada, but have instead helped alleviate poverty among low-wage workers.

Earlier this year, the Nova Scotia government announced its largest ever minimum wage increase, with the minimum wage set to rise to $16.50 by October 1. While this is a step in the right direction, Singh believes it is still not enough.

Despite the progress made, the threat of trade tariffs from the U.S. looms large and could potentially derail any advancements Nova Scotia workers have made. Osberg warns that a trade war with the United States could lead to job losses in trade-dependent sectors and an increase in inflation rates.

In 2024, Nova Scotia had the lowest median wage of all provinces and territories, further highlighting the challenges faced by workers like Singh. Despite his efforts to save up for a home, unexpected expenses like car repairs and sick days have hindered his progress.

Singh sums up the struggle many workers face, saying, “It’s like you want something but you cannot get it… as much as you try.”