PEI

P.E.I. leads country in wage growth

P.E.I. workers led the country in wage growth in the first five months of 2015, but there is still a lot of catching up to do.

Wages still lowest in Canada

The increase in wages means better standard of living for Prince Edward Islanders, says Workforce Minister Richard Brown. (CBC)

P.E.I. workers led the country in wage growth in the first five months of 2015.

An analysis of Statistics Canada numbers by the Atlantic Provinces Economic Council shows average weekly earnings in the province for the first five months of 2015 up 3.8 per cent compared to the same period the year before.

In a news release, the province pointed out the minimum wage has gone from $6.80 an hour in 2005 to $10.50.

"This improvement in wages means that the quality of life for Islanders as [a] whole is increasing," said Workforce Minister Richard Brown.

"With wages growing more quickly than the Consumer Price Index, Islanders' earnings have more buying power."

P.E.I. wages remain the lowest in the country.

According to Statistics Canada, average weekly earnings for P.E.I. for the month of May, including overtime were $812. That's about $130 below the national average.

INFOGRAPHIC: P.E.I. job numbers