Minimum Wage In Canada 2025

Matthew
Author:
Matthew
Matthew Taylor
Expert Contributor at Loans Canada
Caitlin
Reviewed By:
Caitlin
Caitlin Wood, BA
Editor-in-Chief at Loans Canada
Caitlin Wood has more than a decade of experience helping Canadian consumers learn how to take control of their finances. Expertise:
  • Personal finance
  • Consumer borrowing
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Updated On: December 13, 2024

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British Columbia Residents: iCash offers payday loans in British Columbia (license number: 67639)

Ontario Residents: Loan amounts and repayment terms are subject to qualification requirements. The maximum allowable cost of borrowing under the payday loan agreement is $14 for every $100 advanced. On a $500 loan of 14 days, the total cost of borrowing is $70, with a total payback amount of $570 and an APR of 365%. On a loan of 62 days, the APR is 82.42%.

Manitoba Residents: To learn more about your rights as a payday loan borrower, contact the Consumer Protection Office at 1-204-945-3800 or 1-800-782-0067 or at www.manitoba.ca/cca/cpo

Nova Scotia Residents: Payday loans are High Cost Loans. The maximum allowable cost of borrowing under the payday loan agreement is 14$ per every 100$ received, which means on a 100$ loan for 14 days, the total cost of borrowing is 14$, with total payback amount of 114$ and an APR of 365.00%.

PEI Residents: Loan amounts and repayment terms are subject to qualification requirements. The maximum allowable cost of borrowing under the payday loan agreement is $14 for every $100 advanced. On a $300 loan of 14 days, the total cost of borrowing is $42, with a total payback amount of $342 and an APR of 365.00%. On a loan of 62 days, the APR is 82.42%.

The Cashback Program and Refer a Friend Program are not available in Manitoba, British Columbia and New Brunswick.

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Most employees must be paid a minimum amount per hour for their work, although there are exceptions. This amount is known as the minimum wage. The minimum wage is different in each province and territory in Canada.

What Is A Minimum Wage?

A minimum wage is the lowest hourly wage rate that an employer can legally pay its employees. There are some exceptions in most provinces and territories, but most hourly employees make at least the minimum wage in the province or territory where they work.

The primary goals of the minimum wage are to reduce poverty and address income inequality, but whether you can live on the minimum wage is up for debate.

Minimum Wage In Canada By Province

The minimum wage in Canada for each province and territory was:

Province / TerritoryMinimum HourlyEffective Date
British Columbia$17.40Effective as of June 1, 2024
Alberta$15.00Effective as of June 1, 2019
Saskatchewan$15.00Effective as of October 1, 2024
Manitoba$15.80Effective as of October 1, 2024
Ontario$17.20Effective as of October 1, 2024
Quebec$16.10Effective as of May 1, 2025
New Brunswick$15.65Effective as of April 1, 2025
Nova Scotia$15.70Effective as of April 1, 2025
Prince Edward Island$16.00Effective as of October 1, 2024
Newfoundland and Labrador$16.00Effective as of April 1, 2025
Northwest Territories$16.70Effective as of September 1, 2024
Yukon$17.94Effective as of April 1, 2025
Nunavut$19.00Effective as of January 1, 2024

Minimum Wage Exceptions 

Although most employees are required to earn at least the minimum wage in the province or territory where they work, there are exceptions. Only those paid hourly are included in this list. In many places, some employees, like live-in home support workers, are paid a daily or monthly rate. Some occupations are paid a higher minimum wage than the general minimum wage.

Minimum Wage Quebec

In Quebec, employees who receive tips, such as restaurant staff, are paid $12.90 per hour instead of the general minimum wage of $16.10.

Minimum Wage Ontario

Students under the age of 18 who work 28 hours a week or less when school is in session, or work during a school break or summer holidays, make a minimum of $16.20.

Minimum Wage Manitoba

  • Domestic workers who work less than 12 hours a week can legally earn less than the minimum wage in Manitoba.
  • Those enrolled in an approved provincial or federal training program can legally earn less than the minimum wage.
  • All election officials can legally earn less than the minimum wage.

Minimum Wage Alberta

Students under the age of 18 who work 28 hours a week or less when school is in session, or work during a school break or summer holidays, make a minimum of $13 instead of the general minimum wage of $15.00.

Minimum Wage Nova Scotia

These types of workers may earn less or more than the minimum wage. For a more detailed explanation of the minimum wage in Nova Scotia, please visit this website.

  • Certain farm employees
  • Apprentices working under the terms of an apprenticeship agreement
  • Anyone enrolled in a government-sponsored and government-approved training program
  • Anyone working at a non-profit playground or summer camp
  • Real estate and car salespeople
  • Freelance travelling salespeople
  • Licensed insurance agents
  • Anyone working on a fishing boat
  • Certain employees in the logging, forestry, construction, and property maintenance industries
  • Domestic workers caring for an immediate family member in a private home
  • Domestic workers working 24 hours a week or less
  • Athletes performing athletic activities

Minimum Wage Saskatchewan

  • Care providers who do not live in the employer’s home are exempt from minimum wage requirements.
  • Babysitters are not covered by minimum wage standards and must negotiate their pay.
  • Farming, ranching, or market garden labourers.

For a detailed list of those exempt from minimum wage in Saskatchewan, click here.

Minimum Wage New Brunswick

  • Counsellors and program staff at residential summer camps are paid less than the minimum wage.
  • Certain construction workers employed by the government.

Minimum Wage Newfoundland And Labrador

All employees earn at least the minimum wage in Newfoundland and Labrador. Currently, the minimum wage in Newfoundland is $16.

Minimum Wage Prince Edward Island

All employees earn at least the minimum wage in Prince Edward Island. However, employers that provide boarding and lodging to their employees can deduct a certain amount per week from their employees’ paycheques. Employers can deduct $49.50 per week for boarding, $27.50 per week for lodging, and $61.60 per week for both boarding and lodging. They can also deduct $4.25 per meal provided. 

Minimum Wage Nunavut

All employees earn at least the minimum wage in Nunavut. However, employers that provide boarding or lodging can deduct a certain amount from your pay. 

Minimum Wage Northwest Territories and Yukon

All employees earn at least the minimum wage in the Northwest Territories and Yukon. 

Income Deduction And Minimum Wage

Several costs besides those required by law (e.g. income tax) can be deducted from your paycheque, depending on the jurisdiction in which you work:

  • Board and lodging
  • Cost of tools
  • Cost of courses and training
  • Pay advances
  • Garnishments
  • Court-ordered maintenance payments

Keep in mind that some costs, such as uniforms required for work, cannot be deducted from your paycheque.

Bottom Line

Although there are exceptions, most employees paid by the hour are legally entitled to a minimum level of compensation in every province and territory in Canada. This minimum wage varies across Canada. Some costs can be taken off your paycheque, regardless of whether it puts your hourly pay under the minimum wage. Whether you can live on the minimum wage in Canada is up for debate, but it seems you can have the most basic standard of living in most places across Canada with the minimum wage.

Minimum Wage FAQs

Can an employer pay me less than minimum wage?

No, your employer cannot pay you less than the minimum wage in your province. However,  there are exceptions to the rule. 

Which province or territory has the highest minimum wage?

The Nunavut has the highest minimum wage in Canada at $19.00 per hour.

Can you live off of minimum wage in Canada?

This question is highly debated. It depends on the area you live in. If you work 40 hours per week, you would earn less than the basic standard of living cost in most large cities like Vancouver and Toronto. You could get by in most other areas of the country, such as Winnipeg and almost anywhere in Quebec.
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