The minimum wage in Canada is different for each province. In PEI, it increases every April.
In January 2023, Prince Edward Island had a minimum wage increase to $14.00 per hour, up by 30 cents. This is the highest minimum wage of the three Maritime provinces.
This article covers the Prince Edward Island minimum wage history, expected increases, exceptions and rules, tax rates, etc.
Prince Edward Island Minimum Wage History
On April 1, 2022, Prince Edward Island’s minimum wage rose to $14.00 per hour, a 30 cents increase from the previous year.
Every April, the minimum wage increases. Here is a brief history of the PEI minimum wage since 2017:
- January 1, 2023: $14.00 (accelerated increase)
- April 1, 2022: $13.70
- April 1, 2021: $13.00
- April 1, 2020: $12.85
- April 1, 2019: $12.25
- April 1, 2018: $11.55
- April 1, 2017: $11.25
PEI’s minimum wage is expected to increase to $15 per hour on October 1, 2023.
Prince Edward Island Minimum Wage Exceptions and Rules
All employers in Prince Edward Island are expected to pay employees at least the minimum wage. Here are a few exceptions and rules to note:
Piecework
Pieceworkers are paid by the amount they produce and not the hour. Employers are expected to pay employees the rate they would have earned at minimum wage for the hours they worked or more.
Overtime
In most jobs, overtime pay (1.5 times the hourly rate) starts after the employee works 48 hours per week.
Employees are entitled to receive 1.5 hours of paid time off for each hour of overtime worked.
Employees can accumulate or “bank” their overtime hours to be taken later as paid time off if it is agreed in writing and is taken off within 3 months of that work week.
Reporting Pay
If employees are called into work outside their regular hours, the employer must pay for at least three hours, even if they work for less than three hours.
Optional staff meetings or call-ins do not have to be paid for.
Paid Holidays
Qualified employees get 8 holidays with pay per year, including New Year’s Day, Canada Day, and Christmas Day.
To qualify, an employee must have been employed with the same employer for 30 calendar days before the holiday, earned pay on at least 15 of the 30 days, and worked their last scheduled shift before and after the holiday.
Note that salespeople whose income is derived primarily from commission on sales and farm workers are not covered by these rules.
Breaks
Every employee should have one half-hour unpaid break every 5 consecutive hours. This break cannot be unreasonably denied. Employees must be paid for work premises if they are to stay on work premises.
Employees are also entitled to a rest period for at least 24 consecutive hours in every 7-day period.
For more on the minimum wage exceptions and rules, see this page.
Minimum Wage Tax Rate in Prince Edward Island
The Prince Edward Island tax brackets and personal tax credit amounts were unchanged in 2023. Here are the PEI and federal tax rates:
PEI Personal Income Tax Brackets and Tax Rates
| Tax Bracket | PEI Tax Rates |
| First $31,984 | 9.8% |
| Over $31,984 up to $63,969 | 13.8% |
| Over $63,969 | 16.7% |
Federal Tax Brackets and Tax Rates
In addition to the PEI tax rates, you also pay federal tax, depending on your income. See the following:
| Tax Bracket | Federal Tax Rates |
| First $53,359 | 15% |
| Over $53,359 up to $106,717 | 20.50% |
| Over $106,717 up to $165,430 | 26% |
| Over $165,430 up to $235,675 | 29% |
| Over $235,675 | 33% |
Prince Edward Island Minimum Wage Deductions
In PEI, employers can make certain deductions from an employee’s pay, including if it is:
- Court-ordered
- Required or authorized by the law (CPP, EI, income tax, etc.)
- Agreed to in writing
- A group benefits plan
- An employee-requested contribution toward savings
- Authorized by the minimum wage order
Employers cannot deduct pay from an employee if they are required to wear a uniform or shoes that are required by the employer and unique to the business.
They may require a deposit of up to 25% of the total cost, but the deposit must be reimbursed when employment ends.
Prince Edward Island Minimum Wage Increases
The minimum wage in Prince Edward Island is reviewed and adjusted yearly based on the Consumer Price Index.
On January 1, 2023, PEI’s minimum wage rose to $14.00 per hour, up 30 cents from last year. However, many say the increase was insufficient to keep up with inflation.
It will increase to $15 per hour on October 1, 2023.
Minimum Wage in Canada
This is the minimum wage by province in Canada:
| Province | Minimum Wage Rate |
| Alberta | $15.00 General Workers |
| British Columbia | $15.65 |
| Saskatchewan | $13.00 |
| Manitoba | $13.50 |
| Ontario | $15.50 General Workers |
| Québec | $14.25 $11.40 for Employees Receiving Tips |
| New Brunswick | $13.75 |
| Nova Scotia | $13.60 |
| Prince Edward Island | $14.00 |
| Newfoundland & Labrador | $13.70 |
| Yukon | $15.70 |
| Northwest Territories | $15.20 |
| Nunavut | $16.00 |
Prince Edward Island Minimum Wage FAQs
The average salary in Prince Edward Island is $30,440 per year or $15.61 per hour.
The province with the lowest minimum wage in Canada is Saskatchewan. Minimum wage workers earn only $13.00 per hour.
According to a report by the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives, a living wage for someone living in Charlottetown, PEI, is $19.30 per hour – much higher than the current minimum wage.
Nunavut has the highest minimum wage in Canada, at $16.00 per hour.
Conclusion
Since 2017, the minimum wage in Prince Edward Island has increased every April. It isn’t clear if it will increase again in April 2023, but it is very likely to.
The minimum wage of $13.70 is barely a living wage, but hopefully, it will start to match other provinces’ minimum wage rates in the coming years.
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