Updated
Minimum wage in Canada 2026: every province listed
Current minimum wage in every province and territory, the federal rate and who it covers, when each is reviewed, and what it works out to over a full year.
Current Minimum Wage Rates Across Canada
Minimum wage in Canada is set independently by each province and territory, with a separate federal rate that applies to federally regulated industries such as banking, telecommunications, interprovincial transportation, and the postal service. As of 2025, provincial minimum wages range from $15.00 per hour in Alberta to $19.00 per hour in Nunavut, reflecting significant regional differences in the cost of living and labour market conditions.
Most provinces adjust their minimum wage annually on either January 1 or October 1, often tying increases to the Consumer Price Index (CPI) to keep pace with inflation. Understanding these rates is essential for both workers and employers to ensure compliance with employment standards legislation.
2025 Minimum Wage by Province and Territory
| Province / Territory | Hourly Rate | Effective Date | Annual (Full-Time) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Federal | $17.30 | April 1, 2025 | $35,984 |
| Alberta | $15.00 | October 1, 2018 | $31,200 |
| British Columbia | $17.40 | June 1, 2024 | $36,192 |
| Manitoba | $15.80 | October 1, 2024 | $32,864 |
| New Brunswick | $15.30 | April 1, 2025 | $31,824 |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | $15.60 | April 1, 2024 | $32,448 |
| Northwest Territories | $16.05 | September 1, 2023 | $33,384 |
| Nova Scotia | $15.20 | April 1, 2024 | $31,616 |
| Nunavut | $19.00 | January 1, 2024 | $39,520 |
| Ontario | $17.20 | October 1, 2024 | $35,776 |
| Prince Edward Island | $15.40 | April 1, 2024 | $32,032 |
| Quebec | $15.75 | May 1, 2024 | $32,760 |
| Saskatchewan | $15.00 | October 1, 2024 | $31,200 |
| Yukon | $17.59 | April 1, 2025 | $36,587 |
Annual amounts assume 2,080 hours per year (40 hours per week, 52 weeks). Actual earnings depend on hours worked, overtime, and statutory holidays.
Federal Minimum Wage
The federal minimum wage is $17.30 per hour as of April 1, 2025. It applies to employees in federally regulated sectors including banks, airlines, railways, telecommunications companies, Canada Post, and First Nations band councils. The federal rate is adjusted annually on April 1 based on the Consumer Price Index. If the provincial or territorial minimum wage is higher than the federal rate, the higher rate applies to federally regulated workers in that jurisdiction.
Provincial Minimum Wage Details
Ontario Minimum Wage
Ontario's general minimum wage is $17.20 per hour, effective October 1, 2024. The province reviews its minimum wage annually and adjusts it based on the Ontario CPI. Ontario eliminated the lower student minimum wage in 2022, so all workers regardless of age earn the same general rate. Liquor servers in Ontario now receive the full general minimum wage; the previous lower rate for liquor servers was eliminated on January 1, 2022.
British Columbia Minimum Wage
BC's minimum wage is $17.40 per hour as of June 1, 2024. BC adjusts its rate annually on June 1 based on the average percentage change in CPI. The province also eliminated the lower liquor server wage in 2021. BC has a separate rate for live-in camp leaders ($116.86 per day) and live-in home support workers (half the minimum wage rate for each hour of work or available time).
Alberta Minimum Wage
Alberta's minimum wage has remained at $15.00 per hour since October 1, 2018, making it the lowest general minimum wage in Canada alongside Saskatchewan. Alberta does not have a legislated schedule for future increases. Students under 18 who work 28 hours per week or less earn a youth minimum wage of $13.00 per hour. Alberta also eliminated the lower liquor server wage in 2016.
Quebec Minimum Wage
Quebec's general minimum wage is $15.75 per hour, effective May 1, 2024. The province adjusts its rate annually on May 1. Quebec maintains a separate lower rate for employees who receive tips (tipped workers), currently set at $12.60 per hour. This tipped wage is the lowest sub-minimum rate in Canada and applies primarily to restaurant servers, bartenders, and delivery workers.
Tipped and Liquor Server Wages
Most provinces have eliminated separate lower minimum wage rates for liquor servers and tipped employees. However, a few jurisdictions maintain distinct rates:
| Province | Tipped / Liquor Server Rate | General Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Quebec | $12.60/hr (tipped employees) | $15.75/hr |
| All other provinces | Same as general rate | Varies |
Ontario, BC, Alberta, Manitoba, and most other provinces have moved to a single minimum wage rate for all workers regardless of whether they receive tips. Quebec remains the notable exception with its lower tipped employee rate.
Youth and Student Minimum Wages
Only a few provinces have youth or student-specific minimum wage rates that differ from the general rate:
- Alberta: $13.00 per hour for students under 18 working 28 hours per week or less.
- Ontario: Students under 18 who work 28 hours per week or less during the school year previously earned a lower rate, but Ontario harmonized student wages to the general minimum in 2022.
- Other provinces: Most provinces apply the general minimum wage to all workers regardless of age.
History of Minimum Wage Increases
Minimum wages across Canada have increased significantly over the past decade. In 2015, most provinces had minimum wages between $10.20 and $11.25 per hour. Alberta led one of the most dramatic increases, going from $10.20 in 2015 to $15.00 by 2018 under the NDP government's plan. Ontario saw major increases from $11.00 in 2015 to $14.00 in 2018, followed by a freeze, and then further increases to $17.20 by 2024. BC increased its minimum wage from $10.25 in 2015 to $17.40 by 2024 through annual CPI-linked adjustments.
The federal minimum wage was reintroduced in 2021 at $15.00 per hour after being dormant since 1996 (when it was set to match provincial rates). Since its reintroduction, the federal rate has been adjusted annually based on CPI, reaching $17.30 in 2025.
When Do Minimum Wages Change?
| Adjustment Date | Provinces |
|---|---|
| January 1 | Nunavut |
| April 1 | Federal, New Brunswick, Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, PEI, Yukon |
| May 1 | Quebec |
| June 1 | British Columbia |
| October 1 | Alberta (when adjusted), Manitoba, Ontario, Saskatchewan |
Minimum Wage and Take-Home Pay
Earning minimum wage does not mean you take home the full amount. Federal and provincial income taxes, CPP contributions, and EI premiums are deducted from every paycheque. For example, a full-time minimum wage worker in Ontario earning $17.20 per hour ($35,776 annually) would take home approximately $31,200 after deductions, depending on their personal tax credits and province of residence. Use our salary calculator to estimate your exact take-home pay at any wage rate.
Sources
- Government of Canada: Minimum Wage by Province
- Ontario: Minimum Wage
- BC: Minimum Wage
- Alberta: Minimum Wage
- Quebec: Minimum Wage
Official sources
Every rate on this page comes from the publications below. No figure is taken from a third-party summary.
- Canada Revenue Agency, income tax rates
Federal and provincial brackets, indexed each January, for the current and previous years.
- Canada Revenue Agency, CPP contributions
Contribution rates, the basic exemption and both earnings ceilings, including CPP2.
- Employment Insurance premium rates
Employee and employer premium rates and maximum insurable earnings, set annually.
- Revenu Québec, income tax rates
Quebec administers its own income tax, its pension plan and its parental insurance plan.