New Minimum Wage in Canada and 5 provinces 2024
As of April 1, 2024, the updated minimum wage comes into force across Canada and five of its provinces/territories, including Yukon, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland and Labrador. To address inflation, the national minimum wage rises to $17.30 per hour from $16.65. All federally regulated industries in Canada, such as banking, postal and courier services, and interprovincial transportation, must adhere to this federal minimum. Nonetheless, critics argue that the increase fails to meet the living wage standards in many Canadian regions.
New Minimum Wage in 5 provinces 2024
On April 1, 2024, new minimum wage rates will be implemented in five Canadian provinces.
Prince Edward Island's minimum wage will increase by 40 cents to $15,40/h.
Nova Scotia's new minimum wage, effective today, will be $15.20/h.
New Brunswick's minimum wage is now $15.30/h as of April 1, 2024, up from $14.75.
Newfoundland and Labrador's minimum wage has risen by 60 cents to $15.60/h.
Additionally, Yukon's minimum wage will increase by 82 cents to $17.59/h.
Official minimum wage in Canada and the upcoming salary schedule
| Province/Territory | Current hourly Minimum Wage | Next Raise Schedule |
|---|---|---|
| Canada (only federally regulated private sectors) | $17.30 | April 1, 2025 |
| Yukon | $17.59 | April 1, 2025 |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | $15.60 | April 1, 2025 |
| Nova Scotia | $15.20 | October 1, 2024 |
| Prince Edward Island | $15.40 | April 1, 2025 |
| New Brunswick | $15.30 | April 1, 2025 |
| Nunavut | $19.00 | Yet to be decided |
| British Columbia | $16.75 | $17.40 per hour, effective June 1, 2024 |
| Ontario | $16.55 | To be revised on October 1, 2024 |
| Northwest Territories | $16.05 | Yet to be decided |
| Manitoba | $15.30 | $15.80 per hour, effective October 1, 2024 |
| Quebec | $15.25 | $15.75 per hour, effective May 1, 2024 |
| Alberta | $15.00 | Yet to be decided |
| Saskatchewan | $14.00 | $15 per hour, effective October 1, 2024 |
Minimum Wage in Canada Does Not Match The Living Wages
The mandated minimum wages in Canada and its provinces continue to fall short of covering the practical living costs in significant urban centers. The living wage represents the income required to maintain a basic standard of living in a particular area, adjusted to local expenses. Here are the living wage rates in major Canadian cities.
| City/Region | Living Wage Rates in 2023 |
|---|---|
| Canmore | $38.80 |
| Clayoquot Sound | $26.51 |
| Halifax | $26.50 |
| Daajing Giids | $26.25 |
| Golden | $25.78 |
| Metro Vancouver | $25.68 |
| Sunshine Coast | $25.61 |
| Greater Victoria | $25.40 |
| Annapolis Valley | $25.40 |
| Cowichan Valley | $25.20 |
| Powell River | $25.06 |
| Southern | $25.05 |
| GTA | $25.05 |
| Jasper | $24.90 |
| Revelstoke | $24.60 |
| Kelowna | $24.60 |
| Fort McMurray | $24.50 |
| Northern | $24.30 |
| St. Albert | $23.80 |
| Calgary | $23.70 |
| Nanaimo | $22.87 |
| Cape Breton | $22.85 |
| Grey Bruce Perth Huron Simcoe | $22.75 |
| Columbia Valley | $22.63 |
| Edmonton | $22.25 |
| Prince George | $22.09 |
| Comox Valley | $22.02 |
| Ottawa | $21.95 |
| High River | $21.70 |
| Lac La Biche Country | $21.60 |
| Trail | $21.55 |
| Nelson | $21.14 |
| Stony Plain | $21.10 |
| Spruce Grove | $21.00 |
| Kamloops | $20.91 |
| Dufferin Guelph Wellington Waterloo | $20.90 |
| Hamilton | $20.80 |
| Fraser Valley | $20.66 |
| Dawson Creek | $20.64 |
| Lethbridge | $20.60 |
| East | $20.60 |
| Brant Haldimand Norfolk Niagara | $20.35 |
| North | $19.80 |
| Drayton Valley | $19.55 |
| Winnipeg | $19.21 |
| Brooks | $19.05 |
| Saskatoon | $18.95 |
| Grande Prairie | $18.90 |
| London Elgin Oxford | $18.85 |
| Red Deer | $18.75 |
| Southwest | $18.65 |
| Regina | $17.80 |
| Thompson | $17.48 |
| Medicine Hat | $17.35 |
| Brandon | $15.69 |
In 2021, Canada introduced a federal minimum wage. It is adjusted yearly based on the country's average consumer price index from the previous year.
The federal minimum wage is currently $17.30 per hour, starting April 1, 2024.