What are the Province wise Minimum Wages in Canada?

Sanjay Yadav
[Published 23 Dec, 2023 | 12:25 PM]
About Author - 7 min read
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If you are keen to apply for Canada PR Visa from India you would also be equally keen to know about the average Salary in Canada and in-demand jobs in Canada for Indians.

The Minimum wage is the lowest wage that can be paid lawfully by an employer in Canada. The Federal Minimum Wage is fixed by the Government of Canada. The Provincial Minimum Wage is fixed by the respective Provincial Governments.

The maximum wage that an employee can receive is not decided by the Government of Canada. However, it is concerned regarding the minimum wage to promote fair employment practices. The aim is also to safeguard non-unionized and vulnerable workers and to help in combating poverty.

The majority of the employees are eligible for the minimum wage irrespective of whether they are working part-time, full-time, or casually. Minimum wages are highly variable across Canada as these are fixed by the labor laws of each Province as well as Territory.

For instance, Yukon has the top minimum wage hourly at $16.77. Meanwhile, Saskatchewan has only $14 hourly as the minimum wage. It must be noted that every Province and Territory has a unique process through which they decide to increase the minimum wage and the % increase.

Federal Minimum Wage

The Federal Minimum Wage applies to employees who are employed under the Federal jurisdiction. This is subject to change by the Government based on the fiscal and other relevant factors. The current Federal Minimum Wage in Canada is $16.65. It is the wage rate hourly that employers are lawfully bound to pay their employees. This is with effect from 1 April 2023 onwards.

Provincial Minimum Wages

As already specified, the Minimum Wage Rate in the Provinces is decided by the Provincial Governments. In 2023 a few of the Provinces in Canada have altered their minimum wages while some others have not. The details regarding the minimum wage rate for general workers can be obtained on the respective authorized websites of the Governments of the Provinces.

The minimum wage rate in Alberta has not changed from June 2019 and remains $15 hourly. Further, the minimum wage rate in Nunavut has also remained the same since April 2020 and is $16 hourly.

Meanwhile, the rest of the Provinces adjust their minimum wage rates regularly as per the needs and changes. The wage rates hourly and the changes in these rates can be known by referring to the government database for the minimum wage.

If the minimum wage in the Province where a worker is employed is higher than the Federal minimum wage, then the worker has to be paid a higher minimum wage.

A few jurisdictions in Canada also have unique rates applicable to particular occupations. This data is normally offered by the Government of the Provinces. All employers are required to abide by these policies and pay their employees the necessary wages as per the fixed criteria.

With effect from 1 October 2024, the minimum wage in Saskatchewan will be increased to $ 15.

Read More on Quora:- How much are software engineers paid in Canada?

Provinces and Minimum Wages

Minimum Wage in Alberta

• General: 15 dollars hourly

• Students (under 18): 13 dollars hourly (restrictions apply)

• Salespersons: 598 dollars weekly

• Domestic employees: 2,848 dollars monthly

Minimum Wage in Saskatchewan

• With effect  from October 1, 2023: 14 dollars hourly

• With effect  from October 1, 2024: 15 dollars hourly

Minimum Wage in Ontario

• General: 16.55 dollars hourly

• Student: 15.60 dollars hourly

• Home-workers: 18.20 dollars hourly

Minimum Wage in Prince Edward Island

• With effect  from October 1, 2023: 15 dollars hourly

• With effect  from April 1, 2024: 15.40 dollars hourly

• With effect  from October 1, 2024: 16 dollars hourly

Minimum Wage in Nunavut

• With effect  from April 1, 2020: 16 dollars hourly

Minimum Wage in Quebec

• With effect  from May 1, 2023: 15.25 dollars hourly

Minimum Wage in Nova Scotia

• With effect  from October 1, 2023: 15 dollars hourly

Minimum Wage in Northwest Territories

• With effect  from September 1, 2023: 16.05 dollars hourly

Minimum Wage in Newfoundland and Labrador

• With effect  from October 1, 2023: 15 dollars hourly

Minimum Wage in British Columbia

• With effect  from June 1, 2023: 16.75 dollars hourly

Minimum Wage in Manitoba

• With effect  from October 1, 2023: 15.30 dollars hourly

Minimum Wage in Yukon

• With effect  from April 1, 2023: 16.77 dollars hourly

Minimum Wage in New Brunswick

• With effect  from April 1, 2023: 14.75 dollars hourly

A few Governments of the Provinces are considering a hike in the minimum hourly wages for the upcoming fiscal year. Yukon Province offers the highest minimum wage of $ 16.77 hourly. Apart from the hourly wages in the General category, some Governments also have specified the wage rate for overtime hours in their provinces.  

Special Minimum Wage Rates

Generally, minimum wage rates in the Provinces or Territories are equally applicable to all wage earners. This is irrespective of their hours of work, specific occupation, or age.

However, a few Provinces offer diverse minimum wages as per the age and for a few specialized occupations. These unique wage rates are applicable in British Columbia, Quebec, Ontario, and Alberta.

For instance, the requirements for minimum wage in Ontario specified in its Employment Standards Act with effect from 1 October 2023 is variable based on the below categories:

• Minimum wage - General: $16.55 hourly
• Minimum wage - Student: $15.60 hourly
• Minimum wage - Home-workers: $18.20 hourly
• Minimum wage - Wilderness Guides’, Fishing and Hunting:
• $82.85 Per day for less than 5 uninterrupted work hours per day
• $165.75 Per day for more than 5 uninterrupted work hours per day

Work categories eligible for special minimum wage are variable according to the Province. For instance, a special minimum wage is offered in Alberta for live-in domestic workers while in British Columbia it is for live-in camp leaders.

To know more about average salaries and in-demand occupations in various provinces in Canada connect with Immigration Experts at Best Immigration Consultant in Delhi Nationwide Visas.