What Is Minimum Wage In Canada?

Unlike the United States, Canada does not have a minimum wage requirement set at the national level, but instead its provinces set the amount.

Most of the provinces set their minimum wages to be just above $10 per hour, however, several change based on the Consumer Price Index, according to the Retail Council of Canada.

In Yukon, British Columbia, and Nova Scotia, the CPI alters the minimum wage every year. Yukon’s wage is $10.86, according to the RCC. Nova Scotia’s is $10.60 with the minimum wage for inexperienced workers set at $9.90. British Columbia’s is currently $10.25, but will increase to $10.45 starting Sept. 15.

Urgent: Do You Think the Minimum Wage Should Be Raised?

Saskatchewan’s $10.20 minimum wage will increase to $10.50 on Oct. 1. Starting July 1, Prince Edward Island’s minimum wage will no longer be $10.35, but instead $10.50. Manitoba’s minimum wage is $10.70.

The Northwest Territories experienced an increase in May to Canada’s highest minimum wage of $12.50.

New Brunswick has plans to increase its minimum wage of $10.30 to $11 in 2017, while Newfoundland and Labrador will increase theirs from $10.25 to $10.50 on Oct. 1, and Ontario will increase its from $11 to $11.25 that same day.

Nunavut has no plans in the near future to alter its $11.00 minimum wage, according to the RCC.

Alberta’s minimum wage is $10.20, but the New Democratic Party has moved to increase the wage to $15 per hour, according to the Spruce Grove Examiner.

“Our plan is to increase the minimum wage in order to help employers access workers from marginalized groups,” Jobs, Skills, Training, and Labour Minister Lori Sigurdon told the Calgary Sun.

The Canadian Federation of Independent Business, however, is not being shy about its opposition to the increase, the newspaper reported. In a statement, the CFIB reported 50,290 to 183,300 jobs would be lost and youth employment could decrease by a quarter.

“The Jobs Minister’s claim that a massive hike in the minimum wage will help ease unemployment is complete rubbish,” CFIB’s Alberta and British Columbia vice president Richard Truscott told the Sun.

Vote Now: How Do You Feel About the Minimum Wage?

Related Stories:

• 8 Industries Where Labor Costs Are Least Impacted by Minimum Wage Hike
• What's The Difference Between Minimum Wage and Living Wage in Lincoln, Nebraska?