Minimum wage "must knows" – updates across Canadian jurisdictions

One of the most basic employment rights is that of minimum wage. It is well understood that employees are entitled to receive at least a minimum amount of pay in exchange for performing their work duties. Despite the simplicity of the concept, however, it isn't always easy to keep track of what exactly the minimum wage requirements are at any given time. This is because minimum wage varies depending on jurisdiction, can depend on the work the employee performs, and is frequently modified to account for economic conditions.

In this blog post, we highlight some of the need-to-know changes to minimum wage which are occurring throughout Canada in 2023.

Federal:

In December 2021, the federal government introduced a "federal minimum wage". As we explained in our previous blog post, Changes Ahead for Federal Employers – Pay Equity and Minimum Wage Obligations, this federal minimum wage applies to employers and employees who work in federally regulated industries, such as banks, telecommunications, and air transportation, to name a few. Federal employees are entitled to receive the greater of the federal minimum wage and the minimum wage applicable in the province in which they work.

Effective April 1, 2023, the federal minimum wage was increased from $15.55 per hour to $16.65 per hour.

British Columbia:

Effective June 1, 2023, the following changes are being implemented to British Columbia's minimum wage:

• The general minimum wage rate will increase from $15.65 per hour to $16.75 per hour.
• The minimum wage rate for live-in camp leaders will increase from $125.06 per day to $133.69 per day.
• The minimum wage rate for live-in home support workers will increase from $116.86 per day to $124.73 per day.
• The minimum wage rate for resident caretakers will also increase. The amount of pay varies depending on the number of suites in the building.

For farm workers remunerated on a piece work rate basis, the minimum piece work rates will also increase effective January 1, 2024.

Saskatchewan:

Effective October 1, 2023, the general minimum wage rate in Saskatchewan will increase from $13.00 per hour to $14.00 per hour.

Manitoba:

Effective October 1, 2023, the general minimum wage rate in Manitoba will increase from $14.15 per hour to $15.30 per hour. This follows on the heels of an increase which was effective on April 1, 2023.

Ontario:

Effective October 1, 2023, the following changes are being implemented to Ontario's minimum wage:

• The general minimum wage rate will increase from $15.50 per hour to $16.55 per hour.
• The student minimum wage rate will increase from $14.60 per hour to $15.60 per hour.
• The minimum wage rate for hunting, fishing and wilderness guides will also increase. The amount of pay varies depending on how many hours they work in a day.
• The homeworkers minimum wage rate will increase from $17.05 per hour to $18.20 per hour.

Quebec:

Effective May 1, 2023, the following changes are being implemented to Quebec's minimum wage:

• The general minimum wage rate will increase from $14.25 per hour to $15.25 per hour.
• The tipped minimum wage rate, which applies to employees who receive tips and gratuities, will increase from $11.40 per hour to $15.25 per hour.
• The minimum wage rate will now be:
  • For strawberry pickers: $1.12 per kilogram
  • For raspberry pickers: $4.53 per kilogram

Nova Scotia:

Effective October 1, 2023, the following changes are being implemented to Nova Scotia's minimum wage:

• The general minimum wage rate will increase from $14.50 per hour to $15.00 per hour.
• The minimum wage rate for employees within logging and forest operations will also increase from $14.50 per hour to $15.00 per hour for time workers and from $2,850.70 per month to $2,949.00 per month for other workers.
• The minimum wage rate for employees within construction and property maintenance will also increase from $14.50 per hour to $15.00 per hour.

This follows on the heels of an increase which was effective on April 1, 2023.

New Brunswick:

Effective on April 1, 2023, New Brunswick's general minimum wage rate was increased from $13.75 per hour to $14.75 per hour.

Newfoundland and Labrador:

Effective October 1, 2023, the general minimum wage rate in Newfoundland and Labrador will increase from $14.50 per hour to $15.00 per hour. This follows on the heels of an increase which was effective on April 1, 2023.

Prince Edward Island (P.E.I.):

Effective October 1, 2023, the general minimum wage rate in P.E.I. will increase from $14.50 per hour to $15.00 per hour.

Yukon:

Effective on April 1, 2023, Yukon's general minimum wage rate was increased from $15.70 per hour to $16.77 per hour.

Takeaways:

Minimum wage rates have clear relevance to employers who pay an hourly rate based on minimum wage. However, it is important for all employers to ensure their remuneration practices comply with minimum wage rates. For example, employers who pay a monthly or annual salary should ensure that the salary meets or exceeds minimum wage when broken down on an hourly basis.

On the flipside, employees are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the minimum wage rates applicable to their work and ensure they are receiving at least minimum wage, as well as other entitlements such as vacation pay and overtime.

If you have any questions about your rights and entitlements in the workplace, please reach out to a member of the Lee Workplace Law team.

At-a-Glance Chart