Minimum Wage in Quebec: 2025 Updates

Minimum wage in Quebec ensures fair pay and decent living standards for low-income workers. With minimum wage in Canada set to increase to $17.75 per hour, it is important for both employers and employees to understand how this change relates to Quebec’s own minimum wage rules.

The following article examines the current rates, eligibility requirements, and how these wages compare to living costs. Additional details on overtime requirements and the unique system for tipped employees 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. According to Labour Minister Jean Boulet, the wage increase will benefit approximately 217,400 employees, including around 118,400 women (Source).

This applies to workers across Quebec, including those in Montreal, Quebec City, Laval, Gatineau, Longueuil, Sherbrooke, Saguenay, and Trois-Rivières.

The alternative minimum wage rate for tipped employees in Quebec also rises on May 1, 2025, to $12.90 per hour, up 30 cents from $12.60 per hour. It 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.

Moreover, agricultural workers in berry picking have distinct piece-rate minimums:

• Strawberry pickers: $1.28 per kilogram
• Raspberry pickers: $4.78 per kilogram

When field conditions or fruit quality affect productivity, employers must supplement piece rates to guarantee workers receive at least $16.10 per hour.

Source: https://visaandimmigrations.com/new-minimum-wage-in-quebec-effective-may-1-2025-what-workers-and-employers-need-to-know/

Historical Changes to Quebec’s Minimum Wage Rates

Minimum wage in Quebec 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 by $5.35 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.

Workers maintain the right to refuse overtime exceeding:

• 4 hours past regular daily shifts
• 14 total hours for 10-hour shift workers
• 50 hours weekly total
• 12 hours within 24-hour periods for unscheduled workers

Exceptions apply for emergencies that threaten public safety or are covered under specific collective agreements. 

Otherwise, overtime pays 1.5 times the regular rate for hours exceeding 40 per week, giving minimum wage workers $24.15 per overtime hour. This calculation applies uniformly regardless of base wage levels or employment arrangements.

Alternatively, workers may choose compensated time off instead of overtime pay:

• Leave calculation multiplies overtime hours by 1.5. Six overtime hours convert to nine hours of paid leave. 
• Time banks allow overtime accumulation for future use. Workers build leave reserves while maintaining income stability. 

Employees should also consider 3 complex situations that require specific calculations:

• Statutory holidays count as worked hours for overtime purposes. A holiday Monday plus 38 actual hours equals 46 total hours, triggering 6 hours of overtime pay.
• Variable schedules use four-week averages for holiday calculations. 
• Remote locations like James Bay logging operations allow 60-hour weekly thresholds before refusal rights apply. 

Source: Overtime in Quebec – CNESST

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.

According to Numbeo, a single person needs approximately $1,321.5 monthly, excluding rent, to live in Quebec City, while a family of four requires $4,834 monthly.

As the data shows, the average monthly net salary of $3,842.89 provides reasonable coverage for single residents but creates pressure for families, particularly those earning minimum wage. Therefore, 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.

Allowable Deductions from Minimum Wage in Quebec

While employees in Quebec are entitled to the provincial minimum wage, there are certain permissible deductions:

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

Deductions for Meals and Lodging

If meals or lodging are provided due to the nature of the work, employers can deduct a maximum of $34.85 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.

Note that employers need written consent for most deductions and cannot reduce net wages below minimum thresholds through any deduction combination.

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

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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