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.
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.
As of January 22nd, 2021, the minimum wage in Canada for each province and territory was:
| Province / Territory | Minimum Hourly Wage (2021) | Minimum Hourly Wage (2020) |
| Alberta | $15.00 | $15.00 |
| British Columbia | $14.60 | $13.85 |
| Manitoba | $11.90 | $11.65 |
| New Brunswick | $11.70 | $11.50 |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | $12.15 | $11.65 |
| Northwest Territories | $13.46 | $13.46 |
| Nova Scotia | $12.55 | $11.55 |
| Nunavut | $16.00 | $13.00 |
| Ontario | $14.25 | $14.00 |
| Prince Edward Island | $12.85 | $12.25 |
| Quebec | $13.10 | $12.50 |
| Saskatchewan | $11.45 | $11.32 |
| Yukon | $13.71 | $12.71 |
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.
These types of workers may earn less or more than the minimum wage. For a more detailed explanation of minimum wage in Nova Scotia, please visit this website.
All employees earn at least the minimum wage in Newfoundland and Labrador. As of April 01, 2021, the minimum wage in Newfoundland will be $11.65. On October 01, 2021, it will increase by 25 cents to $11.85.
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’ paycheque. As of April 01, 2021, 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.
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.
All employees earn at least the minimum wage in the Northwest Territories and Yukon.
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:
Keep in mind that some costs, such as uniforms required for work, cannot be deducted from your paycheque.
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.
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