The minimum wage in Canada: Every country, including Canada, has its own minimum wage. In Canada, the minimum wage is the lowest wage that employers are legally permitted to pay their employees, and it is subject to annual change. The federal, provincial, and territorial governments all enforce minimum wage laws.
The minimum wage in Canada differs from one province to the next. For example, Yukon is known to have a higher minimum wage than other provinces. The minimum wage is regularly reviewed and updated.
It’s important you know the minimum wage in Canada so that you will know what to expect as a worker and as an employer. The minimum wage is a critical component of the Canadian economy. If you are an employer, you should be aware of the minimum wage in your province or territory. If you work as an employee, you should understand how much you are entitled to.
Are you an aspirant immigrant who is curious about what hourly pay in Canada looks like and whether the amount will be sufficient to cover the province’s cost of living? Your inquiries are all answered in this article. So, keep reading to learn everything you need to know about minimum wage in Canada!
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What is minimum wage?
The minimum wage is the lowest wage rate that employers are legally permitted to pay their employees for their labor. The minimum Wage is important because it sets the lowest hourly rate that an employer can pay their employees. The intent of the minimum wage law is to protect workers from being exploited by employers who pay them unfairly low wages, as well as to ensure that they are fairly compensated for their work.
Important Things You Should Know about Minimum Wage in Canada
- The federal minimum wage in Canada is C$16.65 per hour
- There is Federal and Provincial Government Minimum Wages
- The Federal minimum wage can be different from the Provincial minimum wage
- The average minimum wage across Canada is C$15.00
- Minimum wages in Canada are subject to review every year
Now that you know some of the important things about minimum wages in Canada, let me explain everything in details.
The minimum wage in Canada
In Canada, there is the Federal and Provincial Government Minimum Wages. The federal government minimum wage rate is for employees in federally regulated industries including banks, postal and courier services, and interprovincial air, rail, road, and marine transportation, and the Federal minimum wage rate in Canada is currently C$16.65 per hour. Provincial and territorial governments set minimum wage rates for employees in non-governmental enterprises.
The Canadian government reviews the minimum wage on a regular basis and announces it on April 1st each year to ensure that minimum wage workers can afford the cost of living.
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Minimum wage rates in various Canadian provinces
The minimum wage in Canada varies by province and territory. Some provinces and territories have a lower minimum wage for certain workers, such as young workers, liquor servers, and live-in homecare workers. The average minimum wage in Canada by province is listed below.
| Province | Minimum wage (per hour) |
| Nunavut | C$16.00 |
| Alberta | C$15.00 |
| Manitoba | C$14.15 |
| New Brunswick | C$14.75 |
| British Columbia | C$15.65 |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | C$14.50 |
| Nova Scotia | C$14.30 |
| Ontario | C$15.50 |
| Prince Edward Island | C$14.50 |
| Quebec | C$14.25 |
| Saskatchewan | C$13 |
| Northwest Territories | C$15.20 |
| Yukon | C$16.77 |
Does the cost of living affect the minimum wage in Canada?
The minimum wage and the cost of living are strongly intertwined. The cost of living in Canada does have an effect on the minimum wage. Some provinces and territories have higher living costs than others. Hence, employers in these provinces may have to pay their employees more to compensate for higher living costs.
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Is the minimum wage in Canada higher than in other developed countries?
Many other countries have their own minimum wage rates, so Canada is not the only country with one. While the countries have some similarities, each has its own set of factors for determining the minimum wage rate.
Although Canada’s minimum wage is higher than that of the United States, it is still lower than that of nations like Australia, France, and the United Kingdom.
The information provided above can assist you in deciding which province is the best fit for you. For more information on the minimum wage in your province or territory, visit the Canadian website. Please do Contact Us for further information and recommendations.