Canada Minimum Wages By Provinces 2026 (Updated List)

Canada minimum wages by provinces 2026 reflect how pay rates differ across Canada based on local economies, inflation adjustments, and cost-of-living pressures. From Ontario and British Columbia to Alberta, Quebec, and the Atlantic provinces, minimum wages are set independently while aligning with national labour standards.

In 2026, Canada’s federal minimum wage continues to influence regulated sectors, while provinces and territories adjust their own rates to balance worker protection and business sustainability. These differences matter for employees, employers, students, and newcomers planning work across Canada. Let’s explore the minimum wages in each province in Canada in this blog.

What is the Federal Minimum Wage in Canada?

According to the latest notification by the Employment and Social Development Canada, the federal minimum wage in Canada would be CAD 17.75.

According to the updated per-hour minimum wages, the minimum salary in Canada per month is equal to CAD 2,840; the minimum wage is subject to the respective province or territory.

The new federal minimum pay in Canada, which is determined by the government, is adjusted to account for inflation. Federal minimum wages apply to workers in federally regulated industries, such as

• Federal Crown corporations like Canada Post
• Certain Indigenous government activities on First Nations reserves
• Air transportation
• Banking
• Select road transportation services

Canada Minimum Wage List 2026: By Province or Territory

While there are many best cities in Canada to live with family, one of the important factors are minimum wage rates that vary by province or territory, reflecting the regional cost of living and economic conditions. Here is a brief overview of the Canada hourly wage increase and the minimum wage in Canada, with rates across different provinces and territories.

*CPI - Some Provinces automatically adjust their minimum wages based on a provincial Consumer Price Index, which tracks the increases in consumer prices (i.e., inflation). Likewise, the Northwest Territories’ minimum wage is reviewed every two years by a special Minimum Wage Committee to determine if it should be increased.

1. Canada Minimum Wage in Alberta

• The Alberta minimum wage in 2026 is $15.00 per hour.
• The minimum wage for international students under 18 is $13.00 per hour.
• If a student works more than 28 hours in a week, they must be paid the standard wage of $15.00 per hour for those extra hours, unless school is not in session.
• The objective of the lower Alberta Canada minimum wage for students is to create more job opportunities for students.
• Exclusion of tips, gratuities, and expenses: Minimum wage does not include these additional earnings, especially relevant in the service industry.
• The Alberta weekly minimum wage for certain professionals: Salespersons, land agents, and specific professionals have a weekly minimum wage of $598.
• Canada Minimum wage per month for domestic employees in Alberta: If residing with the employer, they earn a minimum of $2,848 per month.
• Alberta Minimum wage per month for domestic employees not residing with the employer: They are entitled to $15.00 per hour.

Also Read: Top 15 Most In Demand Jobs in Alberta PNP

2. Canada Minimum Wage in Saskatchewan

• The current minimum wage in Saskatchewan is $15.35 per hour.
• Certain categories of workers are exempted from the minimum wage regulations.
• Farming and ranching employees.
• Market garden labourers
• Certain private home care employees.
• Professional athletes.
• Specific employees of non-profit organizations.
• According to regulations, employees must receive at least 3 hours' worth of pay per shift, even if they don't work that long, with the exception of being called in to work overtime hours.

Explore: 15 Most In Demand Jobs in Saskatchewan PNP

3. Canada Minimum Wage in Ontario 

• The current minimum wage in Ontario is $17.60 per hour.
• The minimum wage in Canada for international students is $16.60 per hour. The rate applies to Students under the age of 18 who work 28 hours or less each week during school and school breaks earn a reduced rate.
• The minimum pay in Ontario for domestic workers is $17.60 per hour. Examples of domestic/homeworker roles include:
• Sewing for clothing manufacturers
• Answering phones for call centers
• Other work as a house help.

• The minimum wage guidelines apply even to those who work on commission. Their paychecks must meet the appropriate hourly minimum wage for their sector.
• Employees who usually work shifts of 3 or more hours but end up working less than 3 hours are also entitled to 3 hours of pay.

Must Read: Ontario PNP Jobs in Demand

4. Canada Minimum Wage in British Columbia

• The Canadian minimum wage per hour in British Columbia is $17.85 as of June 1, 2025.
• The daily wage of live-in camp workers increased to $142.61 per day
• The minimum daily wage for live-in home support workers is $133.05 per day
• The Resident caretakers get a minimum wage based on the number of units in the building. For Instance, for 9 to 60 apartments, the caretaker is eligible for $1069.36 per month, plus $42.48 for each unit.
• For an apartment that has more than 60 units, the caretaker is entitled to $3,642.51 per month.

Quick Read: Top 15 Most In-Demand Jobs in British Columbia PNP 

5. Canada Minimum Wage in Manitoba

• The Canada minimum wage per hour in Manitoba is $16.00.
• Certain groups are exempt from the hourly minimum wage requirements:
• Domestic workers who work less than 12 hours each week.
• Individuals involved in an approved federal or provincial training program.
• Election officials and enumerators.
• Residential construction workers are entitled to receive the provincial minimum wage.
• Heavy construction workers and employees in the industrial, commercial, and institutional (ICI) sectors have specific rates based on their specialty.
• Even employees who are paid with incentives or work on commission must have an income that averages out to the minimum wage.
• If an employee's commission does not meet the minimum wage requirement, the employer is obligated to top up their pay.

Check Out: Top 15 Manitoba PNP Jobs for 2026

6. Canada Minimum Wage in New Brunswick

• The minimum wage in New Brunswick is $15.65 per hour.
• The province enforces a minimum pay rate of $23.48 per hour for overtime work.
• Employers must pay their employees for at least 3 hours of work on each pay cheque if the employee has been officially asked to report to work.
• Construction and trades workers participating in government construction work, as well as summer camp staff, have special rates that may differ from the general minimum wage.

Read More: Most In Demand Jobs in New Brunswick

7. Canada Minimum Wage in Newfoundland & Labrador

• The minimum wage in Newfoundland and Labrador was raised to $16.00 this year.
• Employers in Newfoundland and Labrador must pay available and willing employees a minimum of 3 hours' worth of wages on each paycheque.
• Those participating in government construction work in NL Construction have specific rates based on their specialty. They are entitled to hourly rates designated for their speciality or the standard minimum wage, whichever is higher.

Explore: Top 15 Most in Demand Jobs in Newfoundland and Labrador PNP

8. Canada Minimum Wage in Northwest Territories

• The Minimum pay rate in the Northwest Territories is $16.95 per hour.
• The NWT has regulations concerning "recall pay." When an employee is called in to work for a shift that was not scheduled in advance, the employer must pay for a minimum of 4 hours of work at the regular rate.
• Even if the employee is able to leave early and does not complete the full 4 hours, they still receive pay for the minimum required hours.
• Employees who are "on call" typically do not qualify for recall pay, although there may be exceptions.

9. Canada Minimum Wage in Nova Scotia

• The minimum wage in Nova Scotia is $16.50 per hour, effective from 01 October 2025.
• The wage will increase to $16.75 per hour starting 01 April 2026, reflecting a mid-year adjustment aligned with rising living costs.
• $17.00 per hour from 01 October 2026, completing the planned wage progression for the province.
• Employees called into work outside of their usual schedule must be paid a minimum of 3 hours' wages, even if they don't work for the full 3 hours.
• Piecework employees must be paid in a way equal to or higher than the province's minimum hourly pay since they are compensated based on the quantity produced rather than on an hourly basis.
• Regulations specify deductions for room and board, with weekly amounts set as:
• $68.20 for board and lodging
• $55.55 for board only
• $15.45 for lodging only
• $3.65 for a single meal.
• Employers may charge employees for uniforms, but such deductions are not allowed if they result in pay falling below the minimum wage for hours worked.

Also Read: Top 15 In-Demand Jobs in Nova Scotia PNP

10. Canada Minimum Wage in Nunavut

• The minimum wage in Nunavut is currently set at $19.75 per hour.
• Recall pay regulations state that employees must receive 4 hours' wages if they are called into work outside of their regular schedule, regardless of whether they work for the full 4 hours or not.
• Trappers and individuals working in commercial fisheries are exempt from the regulations related to minimum wage.

11. Canada Minimum Wage in Prince Edward Island

• The Canadian minimum wage in Prince Edward Island (PEI) is $16.50 per hour.
• Unlike some other provinces, PEI does not specify different rates for different types of workers.
• Employers in PEI have regulations regarding deductions for room and board:
• Weekly deductions can be a maximum of $61.60 for board and lodging.
• Maximum deductions for board only are $49.50 per week.
• Maximum deductions for lodging only are $27.50 per week.
• A maximum deduction of $4.25 can be made for a single meal.

Check Out: Top 15 Most In Demand Jobs in Prince Edward Island

12. Canada Minimum Wage in Quebec

• The Minimum pay rate in Quebec was increased to $16.10 per hour.
• Employees who receive tips, such as serving staff and hairdressers, have a separate minimum wage rate of $11.40 per hour.
• Berry pickers in Quebec have specific wage rates:
• $4.23 per kilogram of raspberries
• $1.13 per kilogram of strawberries

13. Canada Minimum Wage in Yukon

• On April 1, 2025, the minimum wage in Yukon was raised to $17.94 per hour.
• Yukon has a Fair Wage Schedule that outlines minimum wage requirements for different government workers, tradespeople, and other occupations.
• Tradespeople in Yukon are paid based on their category:
• Category A Class: $38.90 per hour
• Category B Class: $34.87 per hour
• Category C Class: $30.93 per hour
• Category D Class: $28.07 per hour

Canada Minimum Wage Trends by Province and Territory (2021-2025)

Canada’s minimum wage has seen steady increases over recent years, driven by inflation adjustments and rising living costs. Explore below how minimum wage rates have evolved across federal, provincial, and territorial jurisdictions.

Explore: 10 Best Cities in Canada

Living Wage vs Minimum Wage in Canada

Understanding the gap between living wage and minimum wage is crucial for workers, students, and immigrants planning their finances in Canada. While minimum wage is legally set by governments, the living wage reflects the real income needed to cover basic expenses like housing, food, transport, and healthcare in a specific city or province.

Quick Read: Top 15 High Paying Jobs in Canada

How Minimum Wage is Calculated in Canada?

Minimum wage in Canada is not fixed nationally and is set by each province and territory based on local economic conditions. Governments review wage levels regularly to ensure they reflect inflation, cost of living, and labour market needs.

• Provincial and territorial authority: Each province and territory sets its own minimum wage through labour standards legislation. Rates differ based on regional living costs, employment trends, and economic growth.
• Inflation and cost-of-living adjustments: Many regions link minimum wage increases to the Consumer Price Index (CPI). This helps wages keep pace with rising prices for essentials like food, housing, and transportation.
• Economic and employment factors: Governments consider business conditions, productivity levels, and unemployment rates. The goal is to balance fair worker pay without placing excessive pressure on employers.
• Regular reviews and scheduled increases: Minimum wages are reviewed annually or biannually, and some provinces announce future increases in advance. This gives workers and employers time to plan financially.

Stay Informed on the Canada Minimum Wage List with GetGIS

In conclusion, the increase in the basic wage in Canada to $17.75 per hour in 2025 brings significant changes to workers' income across various industries in Canada. It is crucial for both employers and employees to stay informed about these updates and understand their implications.

Are you planning to Immigrate to Canada? Seek professional guidance on navigating the PR process with GetGIS. Our team of experts can provide valuable assistance and ensure compliance with the latest standards.

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Useful Links

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