Minimum Wage in Quebec: 2025 Updates

Minimum wage laws ensure fair pay and decent living standards for low-income workers across Quebec. With the minimum wage in Canada set to increase to $17.75 per hour, it is essential for both employers and employees to understand the impact of this change.

The following article by Ebsource will examine Quebec’s new 2025 minimum wage rate, how it has progressed over time, who it applies to, income and cost of living challenges, allowable pay deductions, and differences between Quebec’s provincial and federal minimum wage rates. Additional details on overtime requirements, the unique system for tipped employees, and the purposes of minimum wage standards are also provided.

What is the Minimum Wage in Quebec for 2025?

Quebec’s general minimum wage increased to $16.10 per hour on May 1, 2025. The wage increase will benefit approximately 200,700 employees, including around 111,200 women.

The alternative minimum wage rate for tipped employees in Quebec will also rise on May 1, 2025, to $12.90 per hour, up 30 cents from $12.60 per hour. This alternative rate applies to workers who typically earn tips and gratuities as part of their total compensation, such as food servers, hotel staff, hairstylists, taxi drivers and more.

Historical Changes to Quebec’s Minimum Wage Rates

Quebec’s minimum wage rate has steadily risen over the past decade. The following table outlines how both the general and alternative tipped minimum wage rates in Quebec have progressed from 2016 to the newly announced 2025 rate:

The table shows that Quebec’s general minimum wage rate has risen to $5.00 per hour since 2016. The alternative minimum rate for tipped employees has also increased steadily over this period.

Quebec Minimum Wage Rules and Regulations

In addition to knowing the bare minimum wage rate in Quebec, employees should be informed about crucial labour regulations and standards, including:

• Overtime – 1.5x regular rate generally required after 40 hours/week. Employees can refuse overtime after 4 extra hours or 50 hours/week.
• Deductions – Written employee consent is required. Permitted for taxes, pensions, court orders, etc.
• Meals & Lodging – Deductions allowed, in some cases, up to $33.01 per week for meals. Lodging deductions are also specified.
• Uniforms – Cannot deduct below minimum wage. The employer must provide unique clothing.

Impact of Minimum Wage in Quebec on Full-Time Income and Cost of Living

With the minimum wage at $16.10 per hour in Quebec, a full-time employee working 40 hours per week, 52 weeks per year, can expect to earn a gross salary of approximately $32,760 annually. After-tax and other payroll deductions result in a take-home annual income of around $24,451, or $2,037 per month.

Unfortunately, this salary poses challenges in covering the cost of living in many parts of Quebec, particularly in significantly larger cities. Some average estimated monthly costs of living for singles and families include:

• Single person in Quebec City: $2,820 (with 1 bedroom apartment)
• Family of 4 in Quebec City: $7,546 (with 3-bedroom apartment)
• Single person in Montreal: $3,022 (with 1 bedroom apartment)
• Family of 4 in Montreal: $7,454 (with 3-bedroom apartment)

As the data shows, it can be very difficult for minimum wage earners to afford rent, food, transportation, and other expenses in Quebec, even in a single-income household.

Source: Quebec Minimum Wage 2025 – Loans Canada

Allowable Deductions from Minimum Wage in Quebec

While employees in Quebec are entitled to the provincial minimum wage, there are certain permissible deductions employers can make in specific circumstances:

Regular Payroll Deductions

Employers may deduct minimum wage earnings for:

• Government remittances like income tax, EI and QPP
• Court-ordered garnishments, such as child support.
• Mandatory pension plans

However, written employee consent is still required for these regular payroll deductions.

Deductions for Meals and Lodging

If meals or lodging are provided due to the nature of the work, employers can deduct a maximum of $33.01 per week for meals and specified lodging rates.

Deductions for Uniforms and Equipment

Uniform expenses can be deducted if an employee makes more than minimum wage. However, these deductions cannot reduce pay below the $16.10 per hour minimum.

Other Deductions

Any other deductions from a minimum wage employee’s pay would likely be prohibited or require demonstrated employee consent per Quebec’s labour standards.

Difference Between Quebec Provincial & Federal Minimum Wages

While Quebec’s general minimum wage is $16.10 per hour in 2025, the federal minimum wage is set higher at $17.75 per hour. This federal minimum rate applies only to employees working in federally regulated industries such as banking, air transport, broadcasting, and telecommunications. All other non-federally regulated workers are covered by their respective provincial minimum wage rates.

Provincial and territorial governments in Canada can also set rates for provincially regulated industries and businesses. When setting rates, provinces and territories consider local economic conditions, average wages, and the cost of living. Explore the minimum wage across provinces and territories in Canada at:

• Minimum Wage in Newfoundland and Labrador
• Minimum Wage in Manitoba
• Minimum Wage in British Columbia
• Minimum Wage in Northwest Territories
• Minimum Wage in Nova Scotia

Quebec’s Unique System of Alternative Minimum Wage Rates

Unlike most provinces, Quebec has an alternative minimum wage system that allows certain employees expected to earn tips or commissions to be paid below the general minimum wage rate.

Quebec’s alternative minimum wage rate for tipped employees increased to $12.90 per hour, effective May 1, 2025. This lower rate applies to occupations where tips and gratuities supplement employee income, such as food and beverage servers, hotel staff, hairstylists, taxi drivers, and rideshare operators.

Importantly, employers must still top up these employees’ pay to the general minimum wage if their tips do not cover the gap.

The importance of Minimum Wage Laws in Quebec

At their core, minimum wage laws aim to ensure a fair basic standard of living for low-skilled and vulnerable segments of the workforce. They also give low-income earners increased consumer spending power, which can support the broader economy.

Specific purposes served by minimum wage legislation include:

• Providing reasonable compensation for essential work
• Reducing poverty and income inequality
• Increasing the standard of living for low-wage earners
• Boosting consumer spending power for essential goods and services
• Protecting groups vulnerable to exploitation, such as youth, women and minorities

Despite these aims, minimum wage rates remain contentious, with debates around potential impacts on unemployment and business operating costs. However, many experts argue that appropriate minimum wages can improve living standards with minimal adverse consequences.

Both employers and employees have a vested interest in thoroughly understanding updated minimum wage laws. An informed perspective can help ensure fair pay and compliance with Quebec’s labour regulations.

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