Minimum Wage Rates to Increase in Six Canadian Provinces in October 2023

On October 1, 2023, regional minimum wage rates in six Canadian provinces will be raised. This move follows a recent increase in the federal minimum wage rate from $15.55 to $16.65, affecting only employees in federally regulated occupations. The regional increases for October 1, 2023, are as follows:

• Ontario: Up to $16.55 from $15.50
• Manitoba: Up to $15.30 from $14.15
• Saskatchewan: Up to $14.00 from $13.00
• Nova Scotia: Up to $15.00 from $14.50
• Newfoundland and Labrador: Up to $15.00 from $14.50
• Prince Edward Island (PEI): Up to $15.00 from $14.50

Note: Saskatchewan has already indicated that they will once again raise their federal minimum wage in October 2024, from $14.00 to $15.00 per hour

New Canadian immigrants, who are typically overrepresented in low-wage occupations, will benefit from these minimum wage increases. The move will be a welcome boost to their earning potential and will aid them in establishing more comfortable lives in their new home.

Canadian newcomers are protected by universal labour laws, which entitle all employed persons, including permanent residents, citizens, temporary foreign workers, and international students, to perform their job in a safe environment and be compensated for their work. Employers across Canada are required to provide employees with job training, “reasonable” healthcare services, information about their rights, and a signed copy of their employment agreement.

Furthermore, Canadian employers are prohibited from mistreating employees, including forcing them to perform unsafe work or work not outlined in their employment agreement, forcing sick/injured employees to work, forcing overtime work on employees without the proper agreement, taking away an employee’s passport/work permit, or altering an employee’s immigration status or threatening them with deportation.

Canadian employees and immigrants are encouraged to report workplace misconduct to provincial and territorial workplace health and safety offices, which exist across the country. For example, in Ontario, urgent and immediate concerns can be reported to the Health and Safety Contact Centre by phone. A more comprehensive list of workplace health and safety offices across Canada can be found here.