Last Updated On 5 April 2023, 1:13 PM EDT (Toronto Time)
New minimum wage in Canada and 5 Canadian provinces (Manitoba, Yukon, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Newfoundland & Labrador) comes into effect today on April 1, 2023.
The federal new minimum wage in Canada now increases to $16.65 per hour to keep pace with inflation.
Previously, it was $15.55 per hour and is now being adjusted on April 1 of every year.
All federally regulated commercial sectors in Canada, including banking, postal and courier services, as well as interprovincial air, rail, road, and ocean transportation, are required to pay the federal minimum wage.
However, the new minimum wage as always is being criticized for not being enough to keep up with actual Living Wages across different parts of Canada.
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New Minimum Wage in 5 Canadian Provinces
New minimum wage will also come into effect in 5 Canadian provinces today (April 1, 2023).
The Manitoba minimum wage will rise by $0.65 to $14.15 per hour with next increase scheduled on October 1, 2023.
New minimum wage in Nova Scotia effective today will rise to $14.50 per hour.
The minimum wage in New Brunswick will increase to $14.75 per hour on April 1, 2023, from $13.75.
Moreover, Yukon’s minimum wage will also rise by $1.05 to $16.77 per hour.
Official Minimum Wages In Canada and Next Raise Schedule
| Geography | Minimum Wage Per Hour | Next Raise Date | Minimum Wage after Next Raise |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canada (Federally regulated private sectors) | $16.65 | April 1, 2024 | $17.75 (estimated) |
| Ontario | $15.50 | October 1, 2023 | $16.55 |
| Manitoba | $14.15 | October 1, 2023 | $15.30 |
| New Brunswick | $14.75 | April 1, 2024 (Expected) | $15.50 (estimated) |
| Nova Scotia | $14.50 | October 1, 2023 | $15 |
| Saskatchewan | $13.00 | October 1, 2023 | $15 |
| Newfoundland & Labrador | $14.50 | October 1, 2023 | $15 |
| Alberta | $15.00 | To Be Decided (TBD) | TBD |
| British Columbia | $15.65 | To Be Decided (TBD) | TBD |
| Quebec | $14.25 | May 1, 2023 | $15.25 |
| Nunavut | $16.00 | To Be Decided (TBD) | TBD |
| Prince Edward Island | $14.50 | October 1, 2023 | $15 |
| Northwest Territories | $15.20 | September 1, 2023 | $16 (estimated) |
| Yukon | $16.77 | April 1, 2024 | $17.50(estimated) |
Now British Columbia and Alberta as well as Nunavut are left to raise their minimum wage in 2023.
Alberta minimum wage has been unchanged since 2018 and was the highest in 2018. So, we believe minimum wage in Alberta is now long due for a raise and expected to increase up to $17 per hour.
Furthermore, British Columbia being one of the major provinces may plan to match minimum wage with Ontario this year.
It is expected that minimum wage in BC can also rise up to $16.50 in 2023.
Minimum Wage in Canada Not Matching Living Wages
Official Minimum Wages in Canada and its provinces are still not matching with practical Living Wages across the major Canadian cities.
The living wage is defined as what individuals need to earn to pay the real costs of living in their neighbourhood, and it is based on community-specific statistics.
Living Wages in major locations across Canada
| City/Region | Living Wage |
|---|---|
| Canmore | $32.75 |
| Haida Gwaii | $25.87 |
| Golden | $25.56 |
| Greater Victoria | $24.29 |
| Metro Vancouver | $24.08 |
| Revelstoke | $23.60 |
| Frenie | $23.58 |
| Cowichan valley | $23.53 |
| Halifax | $23.50 |
| Fredericton | $23.45 |
| Powell River | $23.33 |
| Durham | $23.15 |
| Halton | $23.15 |
| Peel Region | $23.15 |
| Toronto | $23.15 |
| Kelowna | $22.88 |
| Prince Rupert | $22.69 |
| Southern | $22.55 |
| Fort McMurray | $22.50 |
| Calgary | $22.40 |
| St. Albert | $22.40 |
| Annapolis Valley | $22.40 |
| Cochrane | $22.35 |
| Cranbrook | $21.90 |
| Rocky Mountain House | $21.85 |
| Columbia Valley | $21.85 |
| Saint John | $21.60 |
| Edmonton | $21.40 |
| Drumheller | $21.20 |
| Prince George | $21.19 |
| Trail | $21.13 |
| Moncton | $20.85 |
| Nelson | $20.83 |
| Spruce Grove | $20.70 |
| Simcoe County | $20.70 |
| Castlegar | $20.54 |
| Dawson Creek | $20.53 |
| Nanimo | $20.49 |
| Stony Plain | $20.40 |
| Northern | $20.40 |
| Lethbridge | $20.30 |
| Comox Valley | $20.26 |
| Grand Forks | $20.05 |
| Cape Breton | $20.00 |
| Guelph & Wellington | $19.95 |
| Waterloo Region | $19.95 |
| Haldimand–Norfolk | $19.80 |
| Niagara Region | $19.80 |
| Saul Ste. Marie | $19.70 |
| Sudbury | $19.70 |
| Thunder Bay | $19.70 |
| Red Deer | $19.65 |
| Ottawa | $19.60 |
| Bathurst | $19.20 |
| Kamloops | $19.14 |
| Hastings & Prince Edward | $19.05 |
| Kingston | $19.05 |
| Leeds, Grenville & Lanark | $19.05 |
| Muskoka | $19.05 |
| Northumberland County | $19.05 |
| Peterborough | $19.05 |
| Renfrew County | $19.05 |
| Hamilton | $19.05 |
| Fraser Valley | $18.98 |
| Winnipeg | $18.34 |
| London & Middlesex | $18.05 |
| Saskatoon | $16.89 |
| Thompson | $16.25 |
| Regina | $16.23 |
| Brandon | $15.66 |
Canada’s Minimum Wage Mandate In 2023
Inflation is a global problem, and Canada’s new mandate will ensure minimum wage workers battle the wave of inflation easily and manage their day-to-day lives without difficulty.
According to the Minister of Labour, Seamus O’Regan Jr., “The cost of living is rising, so we’re making sure that wages keep going up too. We’re looking after workers, because that’s how you grow the economy and create more prosperity for everyone.”
The federal minimum wage directly impacts approximately 26,000 workers in the above-mentioned sectors who are earning less than the current rate.
The federal minimum wage in Canada revises every year on April 1 based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI).
In 2022, the minimum wage was increased from $15 in 2021 to $15.55 on April 1, 2022. Considering the inflation and CPI, the new minimum wage is double ($1.10) that of last year ($0.55).
When is minimum wage going up in Ontario?
Minimum wage in Ontario will increase to $16.55 on October 1, 2023.
What is the minimum wage in Nova Scotia?
$14.50 is the minimum wage in Nova Scotia. This minimum wage in Nova Scotia is scheduled increase to $15 on October 1, 2023.
How much is Quebec minimum wage 2023?
$14.25 is the minimum wage in Quebec. This is set to increase to $15.25 on May 1, 2023.
When is B.C. minimum wage increase in 2023?
B.C. is expected to raise the minimum wage up to $16.50 in 2023, but there is no official confirmation yet.
When does federal minimum wage in Canada go up?
The federal minimum wage in Canada revises every year on April 1 based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI).
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