PEI

P.E.I.'s minimum wage goes up to $10.75 on June 1

The first of two minimum wage increases slated for this year on P.E.I. comes into effect on June 1.

'Step in the right direction but not enough to live on'

People who work for minimum wage on P.E.I. will soon see an increase. (Toby Talbot/Associated Press)

The first of two minimum wage increases slated for this year on P.E.I. comes into effect on June 1.

The minimum wage will go up to $10.75 an hour from $10.50.

P.E.I. Federation of Labour president Carl Pursey said it's a step in the right direction but not enough to live on.

Carl Pursey, the president of the P.E.I. Federation of Labour, says the increase is a step in the right direction but still not enough to live on. (CBC)

"It should go close to $15 an hour," said Pursey.

"I know it's going to be hard to reach the $15 an hour here but that is what we've got to strive and reach for. And it should be tied with the cost of living once we get it up that people are making a living wage." 

He said P.E.I. has one of the highest percentages of people working for minimum wage in the country. 

The second increase of the year will happen on Oct.1 when the minimum wage rises to $11.