New Minimum Wage

New Minimum Wage in 4 Canadian Provinces: Starting today, October 1, 2024, four Canadian provinces—Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Prince Edward Island—are increasing their minimum wage rates.

This article provides a detailed breakdown of the new wage rates and what it means for workers in each province.

Earlier this year, several provinces and territories adjusted their minimum hourly wage rates.

British Columbia implemented its raise on June 1, 2024, while Quebec followed suit on May 1, 2024.

The federal minimum wage, which applies to federally regulated sectors, increased to $17.30 per hour on April 1, 2024.

Minimum wage is the legally mandated lowest hourly wage that an employer can pay an employee.

This applies to all workers, regardless of age or hours worked. Paying below the minimum hourly wage is illegal in Canada.

Let’s dive into the new wage rates in Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Prince Edward Island.

Ontario’s New Minimum Wage: $17.20 per Hour

As of today, Ontario’s new minimum wage now stands at $17.20 per hour, marking a $0.65 increase from the previous rate of $16.55.

This raise comes just a year after the October 1, 2023, increase.

Key wage increases in Ontario:

• General minimum wage: $17.20 per hour (up from $16.55).
• Students under 18 working 28 hours or less per week: $16.20 per hour (up from $15.60).
• Homeworkers (employees who work from home): $18.90 per hour (up from $18.20).
• Hunting, fishing, and wilderness guides: $82.85 per day for less than five hours of work (up from $77.60) and $165.75 per day for five or more hours of work (up from $155.25).

Despite the wage increase, the Ontario Living Wage Network estimates that the living wage in many regions of the province is around $20 per hour, with areas like the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) exceeding $25 per hour.

Advocates continue to push for a minimum hourly wage of at least $20 per hour.

Manitoba’s New Minimum Wage: $15.80 per Hour

Manitoba has increased its minimum wage to $15.80 per hour, a $0.50 increase from the previous rate of $15.30 per hour.

This follows two previous raises in 2023, where the wage jumped from $13.50 to $15.30, reflecting the province’s effort to keep up with inflation and rising living costs.

Manitoba’s minimum hourly wage adjustments are based on the province’s Consumer Price Index (CPI), with the next scheduled increase expected on October 1, 2025.

Saskatchewan’s New Minimum Wage: $15 per Hour

In Saskatchewan, the minimum wage has increased to $15 per hour, up from the previous rate of $14.00 per hour.

This $1.00 increase reflects the province’s ongoing effort to align with the rising cost of living.

The last minimum hourly wage increased in Saskatchewan took place on October 1, 2023, when it was raised from $13.00 to $14.00 per hour.

Today’s increase represents a continuation of Saskatchewan’s commitment to providing fair wages for workers.

Prince Edward Island’s New Minimum Wage: $16 per Hour

Starting today, workers in Prince Edward Island will see their minimum hourly wage rise to $16.00 per hour, up from the previous rate of $15.40.

This increase follows a previous adjustment in April 2024, when the minimum hourly wage was raised from $15.00 to $15.40.

Prince Edward Island has consistently adjusted its minimum hourly wage in recent years to reflect economic conditions and inflation, ensuring that workers are better compensated for their labour.

Latest Minimum Wage Rates Across Canada and Future Increases

Here’s a quick overview of current minimum wage rates across Canada, along with their next scheduled raise dates:

Province/Territory	Current Hourly Minimum Wage	Next Raise Date
Canada (Federal)	$17.30	April 1, 2025
Yukon	$17.59	April 1, 2025
Newfoundland and Labrador	$15.60	April 1, 2025
Nova Scotia	$15.20	April 1, 2025
Prince Edward Island	$16.00	Yet to be decided
New Brunswick	$15.30	April 1, 2025
Nunavut	$19.00	Yet to be decided
British Columbia	$17.40	June 1, 2025
Ontario	$17.20	Yet to be decided
Northwest Territories	$16.05	Yet to be decided
Manitoba	$15.80	October 1, 2025
Quebec	$15.75	May 1, 2025
Alberta	$15.00	Yet to be decided
Saskatchewan	$15.00	Yet to be decided

Alberta’s Minimum hourly Wage: No Increase Since 2018

Alberta is the only province in Canada that has not increased its minimum wage in the past five years.

The last adjustment occurred in 2018, when the rate was set at $15.00 per hour.

Workers and labour groups in Alberta are advocating for a long-overdue wage increase to match the rising cost of living.

Conclusion

The October 1, 2024, minimum wage increases in Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Prince Edward Island mark a significant step toward fairer compensation for workers.

While these increases are beneficial, many provinces still face calls for further wage hikes to match the rising cost of living, particularly in high-cost areas like the GTA and Vancouver.

As the cost of living continues to rise across the country, Canadian workers and labour organizations will likely continue advocating for minimum wage rates that better reflect the true cost of living in their respective provinces.

By staying informed about these wage changes, both employers and employees can better navigate the evolving labour landscape in Canada.

Keep an eye on future wage adjustments to ensure compliance and fairness across all provinces and territories.

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