Ontario's minimum wage is going up next week but it'll still be lower than these spots
Can you guess which provinces and territories have us beat?
Ontario's minimum wage is the fourth-highest in the country.
Exciting news for Ontario workers! Starting next week on October 1, the Ontario minimum wage will rise from $16.55 to $17.20 an hour — a 3.9% increase.
This boost is based on the Ontario Consumer Price Index (CPI) and is part of the province's yearly adjustments to help wages keep up with the cost of living. It means an extra 65 cents per hour for workers earning minimum wage, which adds up to around $1,352 annually for someone working full-time.
Nearly a million people in Ontario are expected to benefit from this change, according to the provincial government, and Ontario isn't the only province seeing a pay boost — Manitoba, Saskatchewan and P.E.I. are also set to raise their minimum wages next week.
But even with the increase, Ontario's new rate still won't be the highest minimum wage in Canada — in fact, it's only number four. So, who's got us beat? Here's everything you need to know about Ontario's new minimum wage and how it stacks up against the rest of the country.
What is Ontario's minimum wage?
Currently, Ontario's minimum wage is $16.55 an hour, but it's set to increase to $17.20 on October 1. This is the standard wage that most workers in the province are required to be paid.
For students under 18, there's a slightly different rate that’s also getting a boost. Right now, the student minimum wage is $15.60 per hour, and starting October 1, 2024, it will rise to $16.20 an hour.
When does minimum wage go up in Ontario?
Ontario's minimum wage is set to increase on October 1, 2024. While the province usually raises the rate once a year — and this is the third year in a row we've had it on October 1 — it's not a guaranteed rule.
The increase is tied to the Ontario Consumer Price Index (CPI), which measures inflation, ensuring that wages keep pace with the rising cost of living. This year, the general minimum wage is going up by 65 cents — a 3.9% jump based on the province's CPI.
What is the highest minimum wage in Canada?
As of October 1, 2024, the highest minimum wage in Canada will still be Nunavut's $19.00 per hour. Ontario's new rate will be $17.20, making it the fourth-highest in the country. For federally regulated workers across Canada, the minimum wage is just a bit higher at $17.30.
Here's a look at minimum wages across the country, ranked from lowest to highest:
- Saskatchewan: $15.00 (as of October 1, 2024)
- Alberta: $15.00
- Nova Scotia: $15.20
- New Brunswick: $15.30
- Newfoundland and Labrador: $15.60
- Quebec: $15.75
- Manitoba: $15.80 (as of October 1, 2024)
- P.E.I.: $16.00 (as of October 1, 2024)
- Northwest Territories: $16.70
- Ontario: $17.20 (as of October 1, 2024)
- B.C.: $17.40
- Yukon: $17.59
- Nunavut: $19.00
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