Last Updated On 20 September 2025, 2:56 PM EDT (Toronto Time)
The new minimum wage in Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island will come into effect starting October 1, 2025.
This change follows recent adjustments in other provinces, with British Columbia raising its minimum wage on June 1, 2025, Quebec on May 1, 2025, and the federal minimum wage increasing to $17.75 on April 1, 2025.
The minimum wage represents the lowest hourly rate employers can legally pay workers in Canada, applicable to all employees regardless of age or hours worked. Paying below this rate is illegal.
This in-depth guide explores the 2025 minimum wage increase for these five provinces and the next minimum wage increase schedule for all the Canadian provinces to help you stay informed and engaged.
Table of Contents
Ontario’s Minimum Wage Increase for 2025
Effective October 1, 2025, Ontario’s minimum wage will rise to $17.60 per hour, up 40 cents from the current rate of $17.20 per hour, set on October 1, 2024.
This adjustment will significantly impact workers, with the Ontario government estimating that a full-time minimum wage worker (40 hours per week) will earn an additional $835 annually.
Special wage categories in Ontario:
- Students under 18 working 28 hours or less per week during the school year or during school breaks will see their minimum wage increase from $16.20 to $16.60 per hour.
- Homeworkers (those performing paid work from home for employers) will see their wage rise from $18.90 to $19.35 per hour.
- Hunting, fishing, and wilderness guides will earn $88.05 per day for shifts under five hours (up from $86.00) and $176.15 per day for shifts of five hours or more (up from $172.05).
Despite this increase, debates persist. The Ontario Living Wage Network highlights that a living wage in many parts of Ontario is $19.50 per hour, with the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) requiring $26 per hour to meet basic living costs.
Labour advocates argue for a minimum wage exceeding $20 per hour, while critics caution about potential impacts on businesses.
Ontario’s minimum wage history:
- Oct 1, 2025 – Sep 30, 2026: $17.60/hour
- Oct 1, 2024 – Sep 30, 2025: $17.20/hour
- Oct 1, 2023 – Sep 30, 2024: $16.55/hour
- Oct 1, 2022 – Sep 30, 2023: $15.50/hour
- Jan 1, 2022 – Sep 30, 2022: $15.00/hour
Manitoba’s Minimum Wage Increase
On October 1, 2025, Manitoba’s minimum wage will increase to $16.00 per hour, a 20-cent hike from the current $15.80 per hour, effective since October 1, 2024.
This follows a significant 50-cent increase in 2024 (from $15.30) and a $1.80 jump in 2023 (from $13.50 to $15.30).
Manitoba now adjusts its wage rates annually based on the provincial Consumer Price Index (CPI), with the next review scheduled for October 1, 2026.
This approach aims to balance worker support with economic stability, ensuring wages keep pace with inflation.
Nova Scotia Minimum Wage Increase 2025
Nova Scotia is implementing two minimum wage increases in 2025 to address rising living costs:
- On April 1, 2025, the wages rose to $15.70 per hour from $15.20 per hour (set April 1, 2024).
- On October 1, 2025, it will further increase to $16.50 per hour.
This dual-increase strategy reflects Nova Scotia’s commitment to supporting workers amid inflation.
Recent Nova Scotia minimum hourly wage history:
- Oct 1, 2025: $16.50/hour
- Apr 1, 2025: $15.70/hour
- Apr 1, 2024: $15.20/hour
- Oct 1, 2023: $15.00/hour
Saskatchewan’s Minimum Wage Hike
Saskatchewan’s minimum hourly wage will rise to $15.35 per hour on October 1, 2025, up from $15.00 per hour (effective October 1, 2024).
This follows a $1.00 increase in 2024 (from $14.00).
The province plans another adjustment on October 1, 2026, maintaining a gradual approach to balance worker needs and business sustainability.
Saskatchewan’s minimum hourly wage increase history:
| October 1, 2025 | $15.35 |
| October 1, 2024 | $15.00 |
| October 1, 2023 | $14.00 |
| October 1, 2022 | $13.00 |
| June 1, 2022 | $12.52 |
| October 1, 2021 | $11.81 |
Prince Edward Island’s hourly Minimum Wage Boost
On October 1, 2025, Prince Edward Island’s minimum wage will increase from $16.00 to $16.50 per hour.
This follows a 50-cent raise on October 1, 2024, from $15.50 to $16.00.
Additionally, PEI has scheduled another increase for April 1, 2026, bringing the minimum wage to $17.00 per hour.
PEI’s minimum hourly wage increase history:
| 1 April 2026 | $17.00 per hour |
| 1 October 2025 | $16.50 per hour |
| 1 October 2024 | $16.00 per hour |
| 1 April 2024 | $15.40 per hour |
| 1 October 2023 | $15.00 per hour |
| 1 January 2023 | $14.50 per hour |
Minimum hourly wage rates in all the Canadian Provinces and Next Raise Schedule
| Geography | Current Minimum Wage | Next Raise | Next Raise Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canada (Federally Regulated) | $17.75 | TBD | April 1, 2026 |
| Ontario | $17.20 | $17.60 | October 1, 2025 |
| Nova Scotia | $15.70 | $16.50 | October 1, 2025 |
| Prince Edward Island | $16.00 | $16.50 | October 1, 2025 |
| Manitoba | $15.80 | $16.00 | October 1, 2025 |
| Saskatchewan | $15.00 | $15.35 | October 1, 2025 |
| Alberta | $15.00 | TBD | TBD |
| British Columbia | $17.85 | TBD | June 1, 2026 |
| New Brunswick | $15.65 | TBD | April 1, 2026 |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | $16.00 | TBD | April 1, 2026 |
| Northwest Territories | $16.95 | TBD | TBD |
| Nunavut | $19.75 | TBD | TBD |
| Quebec | $16.10 | TBD | May 1, 2026 |
| Yukon | $17.94 | TBD | April 1, 2026 |
The only remaining province to raise the minimum hourly wage is Alberta. Actually, the minimum hourly wage in Alberta hasn’t gone up since 2018.
The minimum wage increases in Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island reflect Canada’s ongoing efforts to support workers in a challenging economic climate.
These changes will directly impact millions of workers, from students to full-time employees, while sparking debates about living wages and business affordability.
Stay tuned for further updates, as provinces like PEI and Saskatchewan have already scheduled additional increases for 2026.
For the latest on minimum hourly wage changes and how they affect you, bookmark this page and share it with others to stay informed.
These adjustments are a step toward addressing cost-of-living concerns, but advocates argue more needs to be done to bridge the gap between minimum and living wages.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the minimum wage in Ontario?
The current minimum wage in Ontario is $17.20 per hour (effective October 1, 2024), increasing to $17.60 per hour on October 1, 2025.
When does Ontario’s minimum hourly wage increase?
The next increase is scheduled for October 1, 2025, to $17.60 per hour.
What is the minimum hourly wage in Saskatchewan?
Saskatchewan’s minimum hourly wage is currently $15.00 per hour (effective October 1, 2024), rising to $15.35 per hour on October 1, 2025.
What is the minimum hourly wage in Manitoba?
Manitoba’s current minimum hourly wage is $15.80 per hour (effective October 1, 2024), increasing to $16.00 per hour on October 1, 2025.
Why are minimum hourly wages increasing?
Provinces adjust minimum hourly wages to address inflation, rising living costs, and economic pressures, ensuring workers can afford basic necessities.
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