As of October 1, 2023, six Canadian provinces are increasing their minimum wage as a response to the cumulative inflation of 3.7% for this year, according to official data from the Datamacros agency. In this regard, Manitoba, Ontario, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and Saskatchewan increased their minimum wages to an average of CAD$14 to CAD$16.55.

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How does the minimum wage work in Canada?

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In Canada, the minimum wage varies depending on the province in which you work and whether the occupation is regulated by the government at the federal level, i.e. at a minimum all provinces must handle the pay set by the government. 

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On April 1, 2023, as happens annually, the Canadian government increased the federal minimum wage, based on the CPI(consumer price index) for the previous year, to CAD$16.55 per hour from CAD$15.55 in 2022. The scope of this increase covers sectors such as banks, post offices and interprovincial transportation, among others. 

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As mentioned at the beginning, the provinces set their own minimum wage, however, if it is lower than the federal minimum wage, employers must pay the higher of the two.

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What jobs are federally regulated?

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Federally regulated private sectors including:

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• Air transportation: airlines, airports, airfields and aircraft operations.
• Banks and authorized foreign banks.
• Grain elevators, feed and seed mills, feed stores and grain seed cleaning plants.
• First Nations band councils and indigenous self-governments (certain activities).
• Most federal Crown corporations, e.g., Canada Post Corporation.
• Port services, maritime transportation, ferries, tunnels, canals, bridges and pipelines (oil and gas) that cross international or provincial borders.
• Postal and courier services.
• Radio and television broadcasting.
• Railroads that cross provincial or international borders and some short distance railroads.
• Road transportation services, including trucks and buses, that cross provincial or international borders.
• Telecommunications, telephony, Internet, telegraph and cable systems.
• Uranium mining and processing and atomic energy.
• Any business that is vital, essential or integral to the operation of one of the aforementioned activities.

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The federal government also regulates jobs in the public service, such as Parliament, and private sector companies and municipalities in Northwest Territories, Nunavut and Yukon.

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What is the minimum wage in each province in Canada?

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The minimum wage is generally set by the provincial and territorial governments, except where the occupation is regulated by the federal government. Below are the current minimum wages for all provinces as of October 1, 2023 (expressed in CAD$ per hour) in each province:

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Alberta => CAD $ 15.00

British Columbia => CAD$ 15.65 

Manitoba => CAD $ 15.30

New Brunswick => CAD $ 14.75

Newfoundland and Labrador => CAD $15.00

Northwest Territories => CAD$ 15.20

Nova Scotia => CAD $ 15.00

Nunavut => CAD $ 16.00

Ontario => CAD $ 16.55

Ontario (students) => CAD$ 15.60

Prince Edward Island => CAD$ 15.00

Quebec => CAD $ 15.25

*Saskatchewan => CAD $ 14.00

Yukon => CAD $ 16,77

Canada (federal minimum) => CAD $ 16.65

*Saskatchewan has already announced that it will increase its minimum wage again. 

in October 2024, from $14.00 to $15.00 per hour.

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The respective increases for the six provinces mentioned above are shown below:

• Ontario from CAD $15.50 to CAD $16.55
• Manitoba from CAD $14.15 to CAD $15.30
• Saskatchewan* from CAD$13.00 to CAD$14.00
• Nova Scotia from CAD $14.50 to CAD $15.00
• Newfoundland and Labrador increased from CAD$14.50 to CAD$15.00
• Prince Edward Island increased from CAD$14.50 to CAD$15.00

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If your salary does not depend on time worked, you should receive at least the equivalent of the minimum wage. In addition, depending on the province and the nature of the work, you may be entitled to overtime pay if you are required to work more than 8 hours a day or more than 40-48 hours a week. Overtime pay may be "time and a half", i.e., your regular salary plus 50%, or double your salary, again, depending on the province and the amount of overtime you have worked. Canada's labor rules apply to all workers in Canada, including students and temporary residents.

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On the official Statistics Canada website, you can consult recent 2023 data on Employment and average weekly wage, as well as information on Job openings and average hourly wage.

Remember that you as a foreign worker are protected by law and your status as an immigrant or newcomer to the country can often make you susceptible to abuse by your employers, but know that you have rights and are protected by the government. We invite you to read two of our articles on employment rights of a foreigner in Canada and job offers for industrial workers.

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So far we share this valuable information, Immiland Canada offers legal advice services for immigration, labor, studies and more. If you wish to make a consultation, you can write to Info@immilandcanada.com or visit our website here.

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With love,

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Immiland

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