If looking for detailed insight about Canada Minimum Wage, we got that on this page all you need to know about Canada Minimum Wage, Canada Minimum Wage for All Provinces, How the minimum wage is calculated, the Importance of minimum wage, Advantages and Disadvantages of Minimum Wage, Who deserves a Minimum Wage, and more to learn about it just on this page.
Minimum Wage:
The minimum wage is a demanding labor standard that states the lowest legally permitted amount of money that employers can pay to their employees as a wage for their labor. It helps state workers’ rights, and the ideal economic status quo in a given society. It varies per country and province, the definition gives a general explanation of minimum wage, find below about that of Canada.
Canada Minimum Wage: What is Canada’s Minimum Wage?
Canada Minimum Wage ($17.30) is the lowest wage that an employer is demanded by law to pay to their employees for their work. It is a minimum compulsory wage amount mandated by the Canadian government to set a starting point of payment for the sake of protecting employees from being exploited. Also, it helps ensure they get moderate earnings for their labor.
This $17.30 is the minimum wage any federal employee is expected to earn as the lowest income but does not apply to workers at the provincial level. Each of the nation’s provinces and three territories does have its rates, and Employers are mandated by law to pay their employees at least the established minimum wage, and any effort to pay lower than the said amount is seen to be an offense and conclusively Illegal.
Canada Federal Minimum Wage (Details)
The minimum wage differs for federal and provincial workers, employees working at federally regulated industries earn $17.30 as a minimum wage but some might earn more depending on their province or territories, some provinces/territories pay federal workers higher than the federal minimum wage, for instance, Yukon $17.59 or Nunavut $19.00, the federal employee is required to earn the higher provincial minimum wage instead of ($17.30).
Which Set of Workers is to Earn the Federal Minimum Wage?
Employees working in federally regulated industries such as;
• Air transportation (airlines, airports, etc.)
• Banks
• Federal public service and Parliament.
• First Nations band councils and Indigenous self-governments
• Port services
• Postal services and other Crown corporations
• Radio and television broadcasting
• Road transportation services and railways
• Telecommunications
For the majority of the workers, the minimum provincial wage applies, though there are some exceptions. For Ontario province whereby the Employment Standards Act (ESA) that’s in control of its minimum wages does not cover the following work conditions;
• Students whose job function is furthered under a program run by a university/college of applied arts and technology
• Secondary school students participating in a knowledge-based program
• Workers involved in community participation work
• Police officers
• Individuals performing the tasks as part of court orders or sentence
• Inmates engaged to perform duties or rehabilitation program
• Persons occupying religious, judicial, electee trade union, or political offices
• Ice hockey junior players with specific conditions connected to scholarships
Meanwhile, employees who work in the private sector are to receive their income (minimum wage) as mandated by their provinces.
Which Province or Territory in Canada has the Highest and Lowest Minimum Wage?
Nunavut has the highest minimum wage which is set at $19.00 effective from January 1, 2024. Find below the complete minimum wage for all Canadian provinces and Territories.
Canada Minimum Wage for All Provinces and Territories
Each of the ten (10) provinces and three territories has minimum wage rates. Find below the Canadian minimum wage for its provinces
ALBERTA
Wage Rate: $15.00
Effective Date: June 26, 2019
BRITISH COLOMBIA
Wage Rate: $17.40
Effective Date: June 01, 2024
MANITOBA
Wage Rate: $15.30
Effective Date: October 1, 2023
NEW BRUNSWICK
Wage Rate: $15.30
Effective Date: April 1, 2024
NEWFOUNDLAND and LABRADOR
Wage Rate: $15.60
Effective Date: April 1, 2024
NORTHWEST TERRITORIES
Wage Rate: $16.05
Effective Date: September 1, 2023
NOVA SCOTIA
Wage Rate: $15.20
Effective Date: April 1, 2024
NUNAVUT
Wage Rate: $19.00
Effective Date: January 1, 2024
ONTARIO
Wage Rate: $16.55
Effective Date: October 1, 2023
PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND
Wage Rate: $15.40
Effective Date: April 1, 2024
OR
Wage Rate: $16.00
Effective Date: October 1, 2024
QUEBEC
Wage Rate: $15.25
Effective Date: May 1, 2023
SASKATCHEWAN
Wage Rate: $15.00
Effective Date: October 1, 2024
YUKON
Wage Rate: $17.59
Effective Date: April 1, 2024
FEDERAL
Wage Rate: $17.30
Effective Date: April 1, 2024
Note: The purpose of this information is for knowledge’s sake, but not intended for legal advice
Conclusion:
Canada’s minimum wage is the lowest income an employee is to pay for their worker’s labor per hour, there is a federal minimum wage, and each province and territories in Canada have its minimum wage. Currently, Nunavut has the highest minimum wage ($19.00) effective from April 1, 2024.
