Minimum wages have been increased in six provinces nationwide, meaning there’s a chance for you to receive a pay raise!
As a result, there have been some changes in the highest and lowest hourly wages in Canada.
Recent increases in the minimum wage have taken place in Ontario, Manitoba, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, PEI, and Saskatchewan, effective as of October 1, 2023.
Hourly wages have also risen this year in the Northwest Territories on September 1, in BC on June 1, in Quebec on May 1, in New Brunswick and Yukon on April 1.
Here’s the current minimum wage in each province and territory across Canada, ranked from lowest to highest.
Saskatchewan
The minimum wage in Saskatchewan was increased to $14 per hour on October 1, 2023, marking a $1 increase.
Despite the hourly wage hike, Saskatchewan still maintains the lowest minimum wage in Canada.
The wage will further increase to $15 per hour next year, effective from October 1, 2024. However, given the plans for wage increases in other provinces, this may still be the lowest minimum wage nationwide.
New Brunswick
The minimum wage in New Brunswick increased on April 1, 2023, and workers are currently being paid $14.75 per hour.
This is the lowest minimum wage for coastal provinces, although it is not the lowest in the country.
PEI
PEI’s minimum wage was raised to $15 per hour on October 1, 2023, up from $14.50 per hour.
This marks the second mandatory hourly wage increase in the province this year.
Newfoundland and Labrador
The minimum wage for workers in Newfoundland and Labrador increased to $15 per hour as of October 1, 2023.
Compared to the previous year when the hourly wage was $13.70 in the province, workers have seen a $1.30 increase per hour.
Nova Scotia
Effective from October 1, 2023, the minimum wage in Nova Scotia is $15 per hour, on par with PEI and Newfoundland and Labrador.
This recent increase was implemented in the province more than six months ahead of schedule.
According to provincial authorities, approximately 30,000 people in Nova Scotia work at minimum wage jobs.
Alberta
The minimum wage in Alberta is $15 per hour, and it has been in effect since October 1, 2018.
Alberta has not increased the hourly wage for minimum wage workers since 2018.
Therefore, despite having one of the highest minimum wages in Canada at $15 per hour, workers have not seen an increase according to provincial regulations for five years.
Québec
Quebec’s minimum wage was raised to $15.25 per hour on May 1, 2023.
This represents a $1 increase in the hourly wage for workers across the province.
According to the province, this general minimum wage increase benefits nearly 300,000 employees in Quebec.
Manitoba
Manitoba has one of the highest minimum wages in Canada at $15.30 per hour, and this increase took effect on October 1, 2023.
This marks the second hourly wage increase for the province in 2023, with the minimum wage rising from $14.15 per hour, resulting in a $1.15 increase for workers.
Nunavut
Nunavut’s minimum wage is $16 per hour as of April 1, 2020.
Although Nunavut has not increased the standard hourly wage for workers in three years, it still has the fifth-highest minimum wage in Canada.
Northwest Territories
The minimum wage in the Northwest Territories was increased to $16.05 per hour on September 1, 2023.
This wage is higher than Nunavut’s, making the territory the fourth-highest minimum wage province in the country.
Ontario
Ontario’s minimum wage was raised to $16.55 per hour, a $1.05 increase, effective from October 1, 2023.
Even with increases in other provinces and territories, including a larger wage increase for Manitoba workers in October, Ontario still holds the third-highest overall minimum wage in Canada for 2023.
British Columbia
The minimum wage in BC is $16.75 per hour, the highest minimum wage among all provinces in Canada.
This increase took effect on June 1, 2023, marking a $1.10 per hour raise for minimum wage workers in the province.
Yukon
Yukon’s minimum wage is $16.77 per hour, effective from April 1, 2023.
Surpassing BC’s hourly wage by just 2 cents, Yukon has the highest minimum wage in Canada! Workers in this territory, with the highest standard wage, earn over $2.77 more per hour than those in Saskatchewan, the province with the lowest minimum wage in Canada.
