Minimum wage is a basic labor standard that specifies the lowest hourly rate that an employer can pay to their employees. It is a topic of discussion in many countries, including Canada, as the government sets a minimum wage for each province and territory. This article will explain what minimum wage is in Canada and how it differs across the country.
Minimum Wage in Canada
In Canada, the minimum wage is a provincial or territorial responsibility, meaning that each province and territory has its own minimum wage rate. The minimum wage rates in Canada vary depending on the region and can change annually. The minimum wage is generally reviewed by the government on an annual basis and may be adjusted to keep pace with the cost of living.
The current minimum wage rates in Canada range from $11.75 per hour in New Brunswick to $16.00 per hour in Nunavut. Alberta and Northwest Territories have the highest minimum wage rates in the country at $15.00 and $15.20 per hour, respectively. Other provinces and territories such as British Columbia, Ontario, Quebec, and Prince Edward Island have minimum wage rates ranging from $13.50 to $15.20 per hour.
Minimum Wage Rates by Province/Territory
Here is a breakdown of the minimum wage rates by province and territory in Canada:
- Alberta: $15.00 per hour
- British Columbia: $15.20 per hour
- Manitoba: $12.90 per hour
- New Brunswick: $11.75 per hour
- Newfoundland and Labrador: $12.50 per hour
- Northwest Territories: $15.20 per hour
- Nova Scotia: $12.95 per hour
- Nunavut: $16.00 per hour
- Ontario: $14.35 per hour
- Prince Edward Island: $13.50 per hour
- Quebec: $13.50 per hour
- Saskatchewan: $11.81 per hour
It is worth noting that some industries or sectors may have a different minimum wage rate than the standard minimum wage. For example, employees who earn tips, such as servers in restaurants, may have a lower minimum wage rate as their tips are expected to make up the difference. Additionally, some provinces and territories have different minimum wage rates for students, trainees, and apprentices.
Minimum wage is an important labor standard that ensures that workers are paid a fair wage for their work. In Canada, the minimum wage is set by each province and territory, and the rates vary across the country. The minimum wage rates are reviewed annually and may be adjusted to keep up with the cost of living. While the minimum wage is an important baseline, many workers earn more than the minimum wage, and some employers offer benefits and other perks to their employees to attract and retain talent.
