As of today, Newfoundland and Labrador has the second-lowest minimum wage in the country.

As the calendar rolled over into October 1, Manitoba raised its minimum wage by 30 cents to $11.65 and Saskatchewan’s rose to $11.32.

Alyse Stuart of Common Front says that means Newfoundland and Labrador surpasses only Saskatchewan in terms of minimum wage. This province has a baseline wage of $11.40 an hour.

Local business owners are not in favour of a $15 an hour minimum wage. Bob Hallett says he supports the concept, but it has to come from somewhere and it will have an impact.

His business is struggling to raise prices, and not have to be “chasing bills all the time.” Hallett says if they raise prices, they’ll see the effect immediately—and raising minimum wage means raising prices.

Stuart says they understand the fear, but they’ve crunched the numbers and the impact on business is not negative.

She says research shows that jobs are created and profit margins have increased in jurisdictions like Ontario, Alberta and BC where minimum wage has gone up.