The thought of moving to Canada offers some exciting opportunities. But like any international move, there are some important financial considerations, too. One of the first things many newcomers ask about, for example, is the minimum wage in Canada in 2025, since it affects everything from initial budgeting to settling in.
At Remitly, we know how valuable clear and reliable information is when you’re starting afresh in a new country. This guide breaks down the latest minimum wage updates across Canada’s provinces and territories so you can plan confidently and make the most of your move.
What is the minimum wage in Canada?
The minimum wage is the lowest amount of money a person can be paid for an hour’s worth of their work. Under the Canadian constitution, most labour laws and regulations, including minimum wage, are set by the provinces and territories.
The minimum wage applies to almost all types of jobs, including internships. Full-time, part-time, and seasonal jobs alike must all be paid at least minimum wage.
Canada has both federal and provincial minimum wages. Unlike in many other countries, the federal minimum wage only applies to employees within federal jurisdiction. This includes people who work for the government as well as people who work in government-regulated industries, including:
- Aviation
- Banks
- Radio and TV broadcasting
- Telecommunications
- Truck and bus drivers who cross provinces or countries
As of 2021—the last year for which there are authoritative figures available—about 8.8% of Canadians earned the minimum wage. Retail, hospitality, and farming are the sectors most likely to offer minimum wages.
Federal minimum wage in 2025
The federal minimum wage in Canada is adjusted every April 1 based on changes to Canada’s Consumer Price Index (CPI) over the previous year, and rounded to the nearest five cents. It has increased every year since 2021, when this measure was introduced due to increased living costs.
At time of writing, the minimum wage for federally regulated sectors is $17.75 CAD per hour, an increase of 2.4% from 2024.
If you work in a federally regulated job and your province’s minimum wage is higher than the federal rate, you will be paid the higher amount.
2025 minimum wage in Canada by province and territory
Minimum wages vary across Canada, and each province and territory updates its rates on its own schedule. All these figures are given in Canadian dollars:
Alberta
In Alberta, the minimum wage for adult workers has been $15 per hour since 2018. You’ll see as we go through each region’s minimum wage that such a long-term freeze on the minimum is quite unusual: most provinces and territories have raised it much more recently than that.
Students under 18 have a different minimum wage—$13 per hour for the first 28 hours of the working week, and $15.00/hour for all hours over that.
Certain employees, including salespeople, lawyers, and architects, have a weekly minimum wage of $598 per week.
British Columbia
In British Columbia (BC), the minimum wage changes every June 1 based on BC’s Consumer Price Index. If the CPI goes down, wages stay the same. The minimum wage increased to $17.85 per hour in 2025.
Gig workers who work for either food delivery or ride-hailing apps have a minimum hourly wage based on the total time spent accepting and completing orders. The current gig worker minimum wage is $21.43 per hour. They also get a distance expense allowance of $0.35 per km for delivery drivers and $0.45 per km for ride-hailing services.
Manitoba
As of October 1, 2025, the minimum wage is $16 per hour in Manitoba. Construction workers in the heavy construction and industrial, commercial and institutional sectors have separate minimum wage rules.
New Brunswick
The minimum wage in New Brunswick was set at $15.65 per hour on April 1, 2025. Just as in other regions, the rate is readjusted every year based on the CPI of New Brunswick.
Newfoundland and Labrador
Newfoundland and Labrador’s minimum wage is $16 per hour as of April 1, 2025, with the overtime rate set at $24. The minimum wage is adjusted on April 1 of each year, again based on the province’s CPI.
Northwest Territories
The Northwest Territories’ minimum wage is $16.95 per hour. It’s adjusted annually on September 1 using a formula that compares the CPI in the capital, Yellowknife, and the percentage change in the average hourly wages in the Northwest Territories from the year before.
Nova Scotia
On October 1, 2025, the general minimum wage in Nova Scotia was raised to $16.50 per hour. The government analyzes and adjusts minimum wage every year based on the change to the inflation rate plus an additional 1%.
Workers in the construction, property maintenance, and logging/forestry sectors have different minimum wage rules.
Nunavut
Nunavut has the highest minimum wage in the country, at $19.75 per hour. From 2025 onwards, its minimum wage will be adjusted every year based on the change in CPI for Iqaluit (the capital city) and the percentage change in the average hourly wage in Nunavut from the year before.
Ontario
Ontario minimum wage increased October 1, 2025, based on changes to the Ontario CPI. The general minimum wage is now $17.60 per hour.
Students under 18 who work less than 28 hours a week must make at least $16.60 per hour. Home workers (people who do paid work in their own homes, like answering calls for a call centre) must make at least $19.35 per hour.
Hunting, fishing, and wilderness guides must make at least $88.05 per hour if they work less than five hours in a row, and $176.15 per hour if they work more than five hours in one day.
Prince Edward Island
The minimum wage in Prince Edward Island is, at the time of writing, $16.50 per hour. It will increase to $17 per hour on April 1, 2026.
Quebec
Minimum wage in Quebec is $16.10 per hour, as of May 1 2025. The minimum wage for tipped employees, meanwhile, is $12.90 per hour. Both are tied to the inflation rate.
Saskatchewan
At the time of writing the minimum wage in Saskatchewan is $15.35 per hour. Wage increases are announced every June 30 and go into effect every October 1, and like elsewhere, it’s based on the region’s CPI.
Yukon
The Yukon’s minimum wage is $17.94 per hour as at April 1, 2025. The minimum wage increases every year on April 1, based on the region’s CPI.
Minimum wage chart
For a quick overview, this chart lists every province and territory’s 2025 minimum wage, the date it took effect, and any scheduled increases.
| Province/Territory | Hourly rate | Effective date | Upcoming changes |
| Federal | $17.75 | April 1, 2025 | April 1, 2026 |
| Alberta | $15 | October 1, 2018 | n/a |
| Alberta
(students under 18) |
$13 | June 26, 2019 | n/a |
| British Columbia | $17.85 | June 1, 2025 | June 1, 2026 |
| British Columbia
(gig workers) |
$20.88 | September 3, 2024 | n/a |
| Prince Edward Island | $16.50 | October 1, 2025 | April 1, 2026 |
| Manitoba | $16 | October 1, 2025 | October 1, 2026 |
| New Brunswick | $15.65 | April 1, 2025 | April 1, 2026 |
| Nova Scotia | $16.50 | October 1, 2025 | October 1, 2026 |
| Nunavut | $19.75 | September 1, 2025 | September 1, 2026 |
| Ontario (general) | $17.60 | October 1, 2025 | October 1, 2026 |
| Ontario
(home workers) |
$19.35 | October 1, 2025 | September 1, 2026 |
| Ontario
(students under 18) |
$16.60 | October 1, 2025 | October 1, 2026 |
| Quebec (general) | $16.10 | May 1, 2025 | May 1, 2026 |
| Quebec
(tipped workers) |
$12.90 | May 1, 2025 | May 1, 2026 |
| Saskatchewan | $15.35 | October 1, 2025 | October 1, 2026 |
| Newfoundland
and Labrador |
$16 | April 1, 2025 | April 1, 2026 |
| Northwest Territories | $16.95 | September 1, 2025 | September 1, 2026 |
| Yukon | $17.94 | April 1, 2025 | April 1, 2026 |
Minimum wage exceptions
While most workers have to be paid at least the general minimum wage, we’ve already seen that certain jobs and worker categories follow different rules and the minimums can be much higher for workers in very specific sectors. By contrast, some low-paid sectors have protections to ensure everybody receives at least the equivalent of a minimum wage.
Here’s an overview of the most common exceptions at the federal and provincial levels.
Federal exceptions
Federal minimum wage guidelines and exceptions include:
- Salaried workers must receive at least the equivalent of a minimum wage. The Minister of Labour usually sets an equivalent monthly or annual rate.
- Any work registered and paid for as a provincial apprenticeship is exempt from minimum wage.
- If your employer provides you with food and/or housing, they can lower your take-home pay below minimum wage. However, they can only reduce your pay for meals or board that you actually accept. In any case, they can’t take away more than:
- 50 cents per meal, or
- 60 cents per day for housing.
Provincial exceptions
As provinces are ultimately responsible for setting most people’s minimum wages, each province and territory has its own exceptions.
These exceptions can mean that certain jobs or people can be paid below minimum wage. They can also mean that certain jobs must make above the general minimum wage.
They include:
- Students under 18 making less than minimum wage in Alberta and Ontario.
- Tipped workers making less than minimum wage in Quebec, as mentioned above.
- Home workers, whole make above federal minimum wage in Ontario.
- Gig workers making above minimum wage in British Columbia.
However, this isn’t the complete list, and exemptions can be different across the country. Make sure you check your province’s labour standards website to ensure you’re getting paid the correct wages.
Staying protected and paid
Understanding the minimum wage in Canada in 2025 and beyond can help you plan your finances, navigate the job market, and feel more confident as you build your life in a new country.
Because rates and rules vary by province and can change year to year, staying informed is one of the best ways to protect yourself and ensure you’re being paid fairly.
FAQ
Does Canada have a different minimum wage for immigrants or international students?
No. The minimum wage applies to everyone working in Canada, regardless of their immigration status. Temporary workers, permanent residents, international students, and citizens alike must all be paid at least the minimum wage set by their province or territory.
How often does Canada adjust minimum wages?
Each province and territory decides on its own minimum wage schedule. Most, including the federal rate, review and update their rates once a year based on changes to their Consumer Price Index. These updates may be at different times.
What should I do if my employer pays me less than minimum wage?
First, check your province or territory’s official labour standards to confirm the correct rate. If you’re being underpaid, you can file a complaint with your province’s labour board or employment standards office. Employers can’t punish you for making a complaint. In most cases, the labour board can order your employer to pay you any wages they owe you.
Do minimum wage laws apply to remote workers or people working for companies in other provinces?
Minimum wage in Canada is based on where you physically work, not where your employer is. For example, if you lived in Ontario but worked remotely for a company based in Alberta, your company would have to pay you Ontario’s minimum wage.