Whether you’re checking your first paycheque or relocating to Canada for work, understanding minimum wage in Canada determines whether you’re being paid fairly.
The minimum wage is the lowest amount employers can pay their employees. In Canada, minimum wage isn’t a single national rate; it’s a complex system where 13 provinces and the federal government set their own rates.
What is the Current Federal Minimum Wage in Canada?
According to the Government of Canada, Canada’s federal minimum wage is $17.75 per hour, as of April 1, 2025. (Source)
It applies to workers in federally regulated industries such as banking, transportation, and telecommunications. The government introduced this federal baseline in 2021 and adjusts it annually based on Canada’s Consumer Price Index.
What is the Minimum Wage in Canada by Province?
Each province and territory in Canada sets its minimum wage rate for most employees, except those working for federally regulated businesses.
Alberta
Minimum wage in Alberta is currently $15.00 per hour. It was last increased on October 1, 2018, and Alberta has not announced a scheduled future increase at this time.
Alberta does have a special minimum wage rate of $13.00 per hour for students under 18 working 28 hours per week or less when school is in session. This lower student rate only applies to the first 28 hours worked weekly.
British Columbia
British Columbia’s current minimum wage is $17.85 per hour as of June 1, 2025. The province reviews the minimum wage each year and announces any increases in April to take effect on June 1.
Manitoba
General minimum wage in Manitoba is $16.00 per hour, as of October 1, 2025. It is indexed annually on October 1 based on the Manitoba Consumer Price Index.
New Brunswick
New Brunswick’s minimum wage is currently set at $15.65 per hour, as of April 1, 2025. It is reviewed annually on April 1 and increased annually by the inflation rate as measured by the Consumer Price Index for New Brunswick.
Newfoundland and Labrador
Minimum wage in Newfoundland and Labrador is currently $16.00 per hour, as of April 1, 2025. It is reviewed and adjusted annually on April 1 relative to changes in the Newfoundland and Labrador Consumer Price Index.
Northwest Territories
Northwest Territories’ minimum wage is $16.95 per hour, effective September 1, 2025.
The minimum wage rate in the Northwest Territories will be adjusted annually based on the Consumer Price Index for Yellowknife and changes in the NWT average hourly wage.
Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia’s current minimum wage is $16.50 per hour, effective October 1, 2025. It is reviewed on April 1 each year and increased annually by the provincial Consumer Price Index plus an additional 1%.
Nunavut
Minimum wage in Nunavut is the highest in Canada at $19.75 per hour, as of September 1, 2025. Previously, the rate was $19.00 per hour.
Ontario
Ontario’s current minimum wage is $17.60 per hour, as of October 1, 2025. It is adjusted annually on October 1 based on changes to the Consumer Price Index. The minimum wage for students in Ontario is lower, at $16.60 per hour for students under 18 working 28 hours per week or less during the school term.
Prince Edward Island
Minimum wage in Prince Edward Island is $16.50 per hour, effective October 1, 2025. It is reviewed annually and will increase to $17.00 per hour on April 1, 2026.
Quebec
Quebec’s general minimum wage is $16.10 per hour as of May 1, 2025. The province also has a lower minimum wage of $12.90 per hour for employees who make tips in the restaurant and hotel industry.
Saskatchewan
Minimum wage in Saskatchewan is $15.35 per hour, as of October 1, 2025. The rate is reviewed annually and increased based on changes to the Saskatchewan Consumer Price Index and other indicators.
Yukon
Yukon’s minimum wage is currently $17.94 per hour, effective April 1, 2025. The territory reviews and adjusts the minimum wage each April 1, relative to the Whitehorse Consumer Price Index.
Source: Current and Forthcoming General Minimum Wage Rates in Canada – Government of Canada
What Province Has the Highest Minimum Wage in Canada?
Nunavut has the highest minimum wage in Canada at $19.75 per hour as of September 1, 2025.
This northern territory’s rate significantly exceeds all other provinces and territories, with the second-highest being Yukon at $17.94 per hour, a difference of $1.81 per hour or approximately 10% higher.
For context, Nunavut’s minimum wage is $4.75 per hour higher than Alberta’s rate of $15.00, which is the lowest in Canada. This means a full-time worker in Nunavut earning minimum wage makes approximately $41,080 annually (based on 2,080 hours per year), compared to $31,200 annually in Alberta.
The reason behind Nunavut’s exceptionally high minimum wage is its territory’s extreme cost of living, which is substantially higher than anywhere else in Canada. Three primary factors drive this economic reality include:
- Geographic isolation and transportation costs: Nunavut has no road or rail connections to southern Canada. All goods must arrive by air freight or seasonal sea lift (ships that deliver during the brief ice-free period)
- Housing costs: Despite being sparsely populated, Nunavut faces severe housing shortages. Construction costs are astronomical due to expensive materials, short building seasons, and high labour costs, as skilled workers must be flown in from southern Canada
- Energy and utility costs: Heating costs are extreme due to long, harsh winters where temperatures regularly drop below -40°C. Most communities rely on diesel generators for electricity since they’re not connected to Southern power grids.
Are There Special Minimum Wage Rates for Different Workers?
While most workers are subject to the general minimum wage, some provinces have special sub-minimum rates for certain groups of employees:
Student minimum wage
Ontario’s student minimum wage is currently $16.60 per hour for students under 18 working 28 hours per week or less during the school term.
Once a student turns 18 or works more than 28 hours weekly, the standard rate applies.
Liquor server and bartender rates
Workers who serve liquor in establishments like bars can earn a lower minimum wage in some provinces. The Liquor server’s rates apply in Quebec, where employees serving alcohol receive $12.90 per hour, as of May 2025.
Hunting and fishing guides
Some provinces set daily or weekly minimum rates rather than hourly rates. Ontario has specific minimum rates for wilderness guides based on the type and duration of guided activities.
Homeworkers
Those who do paid work out of their own homes might have a separate rate. Ontario’s minimum wage for homeworkers is $19.35 per hour.
Live-in caregivers
Some provinces have special provisions where room and board may partially offset wages, though strict rules govern these arrangements to prevent exploitation.
How Are Minimum Wage Rates in Canada Adjusted?
In Canada, the minimum wage isn’t set in stone. Governments use three different methods to decide when and how much to increase it:
- Automatic Adjustments Using Inflation (CPI): This is the most automatic method. It links the minimum wage directly to the Consumer Price Index (CPI), which is the official measure of inflation, or the rising cost of living. If the CPI shows that the cost of living went up by 3% last year, the minimum wage will automatically increase by 3%.
- Regular, Scheduled Reviews: This is the most common method used by the provinces. Instead of being automatic, the government schedules a review every year or so. For instance, Ontario’s changes usually happen on October 1, while British Columbia’s happen on June 1.
- Government Decisions: This is the least predictable approach. A government can change the rate whenever it feels it’s necessary, with no fixed schedule.
You can always find the most up-to-date minimum wage rates on your provincial or territorial government’s labour ministry website.
What to Do If You’re Paid Below Minimum Wage in Canada
If you believe you’re being paid below minimum wage, take these steps:
First, review your pay statements carefully. Verify the hourly rate shown and compare hours worked to hours paid. Calculate whether your total pay divided by hours worked meets or exceeds minimum wage.
Second, speak to your employer. Many underpayment situations result from honest payroll errors. Bring pay statements and your calculations to your supervisor or payroll department.
Third, contact your provincial labour standards office to file a formal complaint if the issue isn’t resolved:
- Ontario: Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development
- British Columbia: Employment Standards Branch
- Alberta: Employment Standards, Alberta Labour and Immigration
- Quebec: Commission des normes, de l’équité, de la santé et de la sécurité du travail (CNESST)
- Each province and territory has an equivalent office
Fourth, file within time limits. In some provinces, you may have as little as 6 months after your last day of work, while in others (like Ontario), you may have up to 2 years to file. So don’t delay if you suspect underpayment.
Fifth, know that you’re protected from retaliation. It’s illegal for employers to punish, demote, terminate, or otherwise retaliate against employees for filing wage complaints or inquiring about their rights.
What is the Difference Between Minimum Wage and Living Wage in Canada?
Minimum wage and living wage are often confused, but they serve very different purposes:
- Minimum wage is the legal wage floor that employers must pay per hour. It is set by the government and applies provincially or federally.
- Living wage is the estimated hourly rate needed to afford basic living expenses like food, housing, and transportation.
Here is a quick comparison between minimum wage and living wage:
| Aspect | Minimum Wage | Living Wage |
| Legal Status | This is a legal wage floor set by a government for a province/territory (or federally regulated workplaces). | This is a voluntary benchmark estimated by research organizations based on the cost of living in a specific city/region |
| Enforcement | Employers must comply | No legal requirement |
| Geographic Scope | Province/territory-wide | Calculated for specific cities/regions |
| Calculation Method | Set by government policy | Based on actual cost of living |
| Adjustments | Annual or via CPI indexing | Recalculated annually by research organizations |
| Purpose | Legal wage floor | Benchmark for adequate income |
That said, living wage calculations take into account factors like family size, number of dependents, and local cost of living.
For example, a single adult will have a different living wage than a dual-income household with children. As a result, living wages are almost always higher than minimum wages.
To highlight the gap between minimum wage and living wage, here are some examples from major Canadian cities:
| City | Living Wage (2025) | Minimum Wage | Gap |
| Vancouver, BC | $27.85/hr (Source) | $17.85/hr | $10.00/hr |
| Toronto, ON | $27.20/hr (Source) | $17.60/hr | $9.60/hr |
| Calgary, AB | $26.50/hr (Source) | $15.00/hr | $11.50/hr |
| Halifax, NS | $29.40/hr (Source) | $16.50/hr | $12.90/hr |
| Whitehorse, YT | $28.74/hr (Source) | $17.94/hr | $10.80/hr |
These examples show that in many cities, the living wage is indeed significantly higher than the legal minimum, which highlights the challenge workers face in covering basic living costs.
How Does Canada’s Minimum Wage Compare Internationally?
Canada’s minimum wage is higher than in many other countries, ranking among the top in developed nations. However, it still varies by province or territory, with big cities often offering higher wages than smaller regions.
See the table below for a comparison of Canada’s minimum wage with other countries.
| Country | Minimum Wage (USD PPP) | Minimum Wage (Local Currency/Hour) | Notes |
| Australia | ~$16.30 | $24.95 AUD | One of world’s highest, rate as of July 1, 2025 (Source) |
| Canada | ~$13.00 | $17.75 CAD | Federal rate as of April 1, 2025 |
| France | ~$12.83 | €11.88 EUR | Rate as of November 1, 2024 (Source) |
| Germany | ~$13.85 | €12.82 EUR | Rate as of January 1, 2025 (Source) |
| United Kingdom | ~$15.91 | £12.21 GBP | Age-based tiers, rate as of April 1, 2025 (Source) |
| United States | ~$7.25 | $7.25 USD | Federal rate (states vary) (Source) |
When comparing minimum wages, Canada pays more than the United States and is on a similar level with many countries in Europe. Australia’s minimum wage, however, is a bit higher.
The actual amount a person earns can change based on their location or industry. In Canada, for example, provinces like British Columbia and Ontario have higher minimum wages than the national requirement.
Despite Canada’s strong international ranking, many workers still find it hard to pay for basic living costs, particularly in expensive cities. This shows that the legal minimum wage isn’t always a “living wage,” meaning it may not be enough to cover essential needs and achieve financial security.
Six Ways to Make a Better Living on Minimum Wage in Canada
Due to Canada’s high cost of living, especially in cities like Toronto and Vancouver, it can be challenging for minimum-wage workers to make ends meet. Below are 6 possible ways to supplement this income:
- Ridesharing – Driving for a service like Uber or Lyft
- Online freelance work – tutoring, web design, data entry, etc.
- Participating in the sharing economy via platforms like Airbnb, Turo, and TaskRabbit
- Mystery shopping, product testing, and surveys
- Working tipped jobs in the restaurant and hospitality industry
- Taking on seasonal and temporary work – retail, festivals, sports events, etc.
Finding creative ways to supplement wages through side jobs or the gig economy can provide much-needed additional income for minimum wage earners trying to afford basic expenses. Before taking on gig work or side jobs, make sure they comply with your employment contract and union rules.
The bottom line
The Minimum wage in Canada fundamentally aims to provide a livable income floor for Canadian workers. Most provinces have gradually raised wage floors in recognition of rising living costs.
Employees should ensure they are receiving the proper legal minimum wage for their jurisdiction. Supplementing income through side jobs also empowers minimum wage earners to make ends meet in Canada’s costly urban areas.
FAQs on minimum wage in Canada
Why are some minimum wages higher than others in Canada?
There is variance in minimum wages across Canada because provinces and territories each set their own rates. Higher minimum wages tend to be in areas with higher costs of living. Some provinces have also prioritized more aggressive minimum wage increases.
Do all workers get the minimum wage in Canada?
Most do, but some provinces allow lower minimum wages for certain groups like students, liquor servers, homeworkers, and farmworkers. Employees should check if they fall under a special minimum wage category.
Are salaried employees entitled to minimum wage?
Yes. Being paid a salary rather than hourly doesn't exempt you from minimum wage protection. To verify compliance, divide your annual salary by the number of hours you're expected to work.
How do I know if I'm a federally regulated employee?
You're federally regulated if you work in banking, telecommunications, interprovincial transportation (airlines, railways, trucking companies operating across provincial borders), broadcasting, postal and courier services operating interprovincially, grain elevators and feed mills, uranium mining, or for federal Crown corporations like CBC or VIA Rail.
What happens if I work in one province but live in another?
Your minimum wage is determined by your workplace province or territory, not your residence. For remote workers, the province where your employer is located typically determines minimum wage, though this can be complex, so consult your provincial labour standards office if uncertain
Can my employer pay me less than minimum wage during training?
No. Minimum wage applies from your first hour of work, including training periods. Some provinces previously allowed "training wages" below minimum wage, but these provisions have been eliminated in most jurisdictions.
