New Minimum Wage In 2 Canadian Regions Effective September 1

Last Updated On 1 September 2026, 4:15 PM EDT (Toronto Time)

Two Canadian regions raised their minimum wage on September 1, 2026, delivering increases of approximately 2.1% and 1.5% that directly affect hourly pay for thousands of workers across the country’s north.

One of the two new rates is now higher than the general minimum wage in every other Canadian province and territory and also exceeds Canada’s federal minimum wage.

The two September 1 increases differ substantially in both the new hourly rate and the size of the adjustment, reflecting the distinct economic conditions in each of these northern territories.

The changes come one month before another wave of minimum hourly wage increases scheduled for October in Ontario, Manitoba, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and Saskatchewan.

Nunavut Now Has Canada’s Highest Minimum Wage At $20.17

Nunavut’s general minimum wage increased from $19.75 to $20.17 per hour on September 1, 2026.

The $0.42 hourly increase represents an approximately 2.1% adjustment from the previous rate.

At $20.17 per hour, Nunavut now holds the highest general minimum wage among all 13 provinces and territories and also surpasses Canada’s federal minimum wage of $18.15 per hour by more than $2.00.

The increase was calculated using Nunavut’s annual adjustment formula, which the Government of Nunavut introduced in 2025.

Under this system, the territory adjusts its minimum wage each September 1 using a formula that averages two economic indicators: the percentage change in the Consumer Price Index for Iqaluit and the percentage change in average hourly wages across Nunavut for the previous year.

The formula includes a safeguard that prevents any downward adjustment.

If the calculation produces a figure lower than the current rate, the existing minimum wage stays in place until the next year’s formula produces an increase.

The adjusted rate is publicly announced by July 31 each year and published in the Nunavut Gazette before taking effect on September 1.

Estimated Additional Gross Income For Full-Time Workers In Nunavut

The following estimates are based on a standard 40-hour workweek and represent gross income before any deductions for taxes, Canada Pension Plan contributions, or Employment Insurance premiums.

Weekly increase: $0.42 × 40 hours = $16.80 additional gross pay per week.
Monthly increase: Approximately $72.74 in additional gross pay per month, calculated using 4.33 weeks per month.
Annual increase: $0.42 × 40 hours × 52 weeks = $873.60 in additional gross pay per year.

A full-time minimum wage worker in Nunavut now earns approximately $41,953.60 in gross annual income at the new $20.17 rate, compared to $41,080.00 at the previous $19.75 rate, before accounting for standard payroll deductions such as income tax, CPP, and EI.

NWT Minimum Wage Rises To $17.20

The Northwest Territories minimum wage increased from $16.95 to $17.20 per hour on September 1, 2026.

The $0.25 hourly increase represents an approximately 1.5% adjustment from the previous rate.

This is the fourth consecutive year that the Government of the Northwest Territories has applied its current minimum wage adjustment methodology.

The territory’s formula calculates annual adjustments based on the percentage changes in the Consumer Price Index and average hourly wages for the previous year.

The GNWT has stated that this approach ensures moderate, predictable, and regular increases that help workers keep pace with the cost of living while providing stability and certainty for the territory’s business community.

Estimated Additional Gross Income For Full-Time Workers In The Northwest Territories

The following estimates assume a standard 40-hour work week and represent gross income before deductions.

Weekly increase: $0.25 × 40 hours = $10.00 additional gross pay per week.
Monthly increase: Approximately $43.33 in additional gross pay per month.
Annual increase: $0.25 × 40 hours × 52 weeks = $520.00 in additional gross pay per year.

A full-time minimum wage worker in the Northwest Territories now earns approximately $35,776.00 in gross annual income at the new $17.20 rate, compared to $35,256.00 at the previous $16.95 rate.

Canada Minimum Wages By Province 2026

The following table lists the current general minimum wage for each Canadian province, territory, and the federal jurisdiction as of September 1, 2026.

Nunavut’s $20.17 rate is now the highest among all jurisdictions listed below.

Where an October 1, 2026, increase has been officially confirmed by a provincial government, it is shown in the Next Confirmed Increase column.

Jurisdiction	Current General Minimum Wage	Effective Date	Next Confirmed Increase
Nunavut	$20.17	September 1, 2026	September 1, 2027 (formula-based)
British Columbia	$18.25	June 1, 2026	June 1, 2027 (CPI-based)
Yukon	$18.51	April 1, 2026	April 1, 2027 (CPI-based)
Federal	$18.15	April 1, 2026	April 1, 2027 (CPI-based)
Ontario	$17.60	October 1, 2025	$17.95 on October 1, 2026
Northwest Territories	$17.20	September 1, 2026	September 1, 2027 (formula-based)
Prince Edward Island	$17.00	April 1, 2026	$17.30 on October 1, 2026
Nova Scotia	$16.75	April 1, 2026	$17.00 on October 1, 2026
Quebec	$16.60	May 1, 2026	May 1, 2027 (CPI-based)
Newfoundland and Labrador	$16.35	April 1, 2026	April 1, 2027 (CPI-based)
Manitoba	$16.00	October 1, 2025	$16.40 on October 1, 2026
New Brunswick	$15.90	April 1, 2026	April 1, 2027 (CPI-based)
Saskatchewan	$15.35	October 1, 2025	$15.70 on October 1, 2026
Alberta	$15.00	October 1, 2018	No increase announced

Sources: Government of Nunavut, Government of the Northwest Territories, Employment and Social Development Canada, and official provincial government announcements.

Alberta has not announced any increase to its minimum wage since October 2018, leaving it at $15.00 per hour and making it the lowest general minimum wage in the country.

British Columbia holds the highest provincial rate at $18.25 per hour after its June 1 increase, while Yukon leads among provinces and territories outside Nunavut at $18.51.

Why Nunavut Has Canada’s Highest Wage

Nunavut’s minimum wage has consistently ranked among the highest in Canada, and the territory’s extreme cost of living is the primary reason.

Most Nunavut communities are not connected to southern Canada by road and depend entirely on seasonal sea lifts and year-round air freight for food, fuel, construction materials, and consumer goods.

These transportation costs are reflected in grocery prices and housing expenses that are dramatically higher than in southern provinces.

Nunavut also has a small labour market with a limited pool of workers in many occupations, which contributes to higher average wages across the territory compared to most of the rest of Canada.

The territory’s minimum hourly wage formula is specifically tied to the Iqaluit CPI rather than a national or broader regional index, which means the rate directly tracks the prices that Nunavut residents actually face.

Who Is Affected By The September 1 Wage Increases

The territorial minimum wages in Nunavut and the Northwest Territories generally apply to most employees working within each territory under the respective territorial labour standards legislation.

This includes workers in retail, food service, hospitality, construction, and other industries regulated under territorial employment standards.

Some categories of workers may be excluded or subject to different rules under each territory’s legislation.

For example, in Nunavut, trappers and workers in the commercial fishery may be subject to separate provisions under the Labour Standards Act.

Workers employed in federally regulated industries such as banking, telecommunications, and interprovincial transportation are covered by the federal minimum wage rather than the territorial rate.

However, when the territorial minimum hourly wage exceeds the federal rate, federally regulated employers operating in that territory must pay the higher amount.

In Nunavut, this means federally regulated workers must now be paid at least $20.17 per hour because the territorial rate exceeds the $18.15 federal floor.

In the Northwest Territories, the new $17.20 territorial rate remains below the $18.15 federal minimum wage, so federally regulated workers in the NWT continue to receive the federal rate.

Workers who rely on LMIA-based work permits in either territory should confirm with their employer that their pay meets or exceeds the applicable minimum wage rate as of September 1.

Upcoming Canadian Minimum Wage Increases In October 2026

Five Canadian provinces have officially confirmed minimum hourly wage increases taking effect on October 1, 2026.

Ontario will raise its general minimum wage from $17.60 to $17.95 per hour, an increase of approximately 2.0%.

Manitoba will increase from $16.00 to $16.40, a 2.5% adjustment that represents the steepest percentage jump among the five provinces.

Nova Scotia will complete its second 2026 increase by moving from $16.75 to $17.00 per hour on October 1, after an earlier April 1 adjustment.

Prince Edward Island will rise from $17.00 to $17.30, with a further increase to $17.60 already confirmed for April 1, 2027.

Saskatchewan will move from $15.35 to $15.70 per hour, a 2.3% increase that still leaves the province with one of the lowest minimum wages in Canada.

A detailed breakdown of all five October 2026 provincial minimum hourly wage increases is available on Immigration News Canada.

September 1, 2026, brought minimum wage increases in two of Canada’s three territories.

Nunavut’s $0.42 increase to $20.17 per hour solidifies the territory’s position as the jurisdiction with the highest general minimum hourly wage in the country, surpassing both every province and the federal rate.

The Northwest Territories added $0.25 per hour to reach $17.20, continuing four years of steady, formula-driven adjustments.

The next wave of Canadian minimum wage changes arrives on October 1, when Ontario, Manitoba, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and Saskatchewan all move to higher rates.

Workers and employers in every jurisdiction should verify which rate applies to their specific employment situation, particularly in sectors where federal and territorial or provincial rules overlap.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the highest minimum wage in Canada in 2026?

Nunavut has the highest general minimum wage in Canada at $20.17 per hour, effective September 1, 2026.

What is Nunavut’s new minimum wage in 2026?

Nunavut’s new minimum wage is $20.17 per hour, up from $19.75. The increase took effect on September 1, 2026, and was calculated using the territory’s annual formula based on the Iqaluit CPI and average hourly wages in Nunavut.

What is the Northwest Territories minimum wage in 2026?

The Northwest Territories minimum wage is $17.20 per hour, effective September 1, 2026, up from $16.95.

Did Canada’s federal minimum wage increase on September 1, 2026?

No, the federal minimum hourly wage did not change on September 1, 2026. The federal minimum wage was last adjusted to $18.15 per hour on April 1, 2026, and the next federal adjustment is scheduled for April 1, 2027.

Which Canadian regions increased minimum wage on September 1, 2026?

Nunavut and the Northwest Territories are the two Canadian jurisdictions that raised their minimum wage rates on September 1, 2026.

How much did Nunavut’s minimum wage increase?

Nunavut’s minimum wage increased by $0.42 per hour, from $19.75 to $20.17, representing an approximately 2.1% adjustment.

How much did the Northwest Territories minimum wage increase?

The Northwest Territories minimum hourly wage increased by $0.25 per hour, from $16.95 to $17.20, representing an approximately 1.5% adjustment.

Which provinces are increasing minimum wage next in 2026?

Five provinces will raise their minimum wages on October 1, 2026: Ontario (to $17.95), Prince Edward Island (to $17.30), Nova Scotia (to $17.00), Manitoba (to $16.40), and Saskatchewan (to $15.70).

Fact-Checked: All minimum wage rates, effective dates, percentage changes, and adjustment formulas in this article have been verified against official publications from the Government of Nunavut, Government of the Northwest Territories, and Employment and Social Development Canada as of September 1, 2026.

Disclaimer: This article is published for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, or employment advice. Gross income estimates are approximations before deductions and should not be relied upon for payroll or tax planning. Always consult official government sources or a qualified professional for guidance specific to your situation.

Sidak Singh Dhanoa

I am a born Canadian citizen and growing daily with my content on INC – Immigration News Canada, developing into an empathetic person and knowing the other side of the story. Born in Toronto, exploring Canada from coast to coast, embracing the nomadic lifestyle.