Ontario rolls out its annual increase to the minimum wage

Effective October 1, minimum wage rates in Ontario have increased. This increase is tied to the Ontario Consumer Price Index for 2023.

Going forward, the general minimum wage is set at $16.55 per hour until September 30, 2024, up from $15.50 an hour from the same time last year, an increase of 6.8%. Student minimum wage also went up from $14.60 this time last year to $15.60. Those who serve liquor in the province will see their pay increase to the general minimum wage as set out by the province.

The provincial government announced this planned increase in March in order to give businesses time to prepare for the increase.

 The province first announced the increase in March so as to give businesses time to plan for the increase.

Ontario is not the only province raising the minimum wage. Manitoba’s went up to $15.30 from $14.15; Saskatchewan increased its minimum wage to $14.00 from $13.00; Nova Scotia is now set at $15.00 from $14.50; Newfoundland and Labrador’s workers will see their minimum wage go up to $15.00 from $14.50; and Prince Edward Island (PEI) also increased to $15.00 from $14.50.