Canada’s Minimum Wage Set to Rise Soon — But There’s a Caveat

Minimum Wage is Rising Across Canada—But Not for Everyone

Good news for some minimum-wage workers in Canada—paycheques are about to get a little bigger. A wave of wage increases is set for next month, meaning certain workers will see their annual earnings rise by over $1,000.

Starting April 1, 2025, the federal minimum wage will increase to $17.75 per hour, up from $17.30. While a 45-cent bump may not seem like much, for a full-time worker, it adds up to an extra $936 per year.

In addition to the federal increase, some provinces and territories will also be raising their minimum wages. However, not all workers will benefit from these changes—whether you see a raise depends on where you live and the industry you work in.

Who Will See a Wage Increase?

The federal minimum wage applies only to employees in federally regulated sectors such as air transportation, banking, postal services, telecommunications, and the federal public service. Employers in these industries must pay at least $17.75 per hour starting April 1, unless the provincial or territorial minimum wage is already higher—currently the case in Nunavut and Yukon.

For most Canadian workers, provincial and territorial wage policies have a bigger impact. Several regions will also be increasing their minimum wage on April 1, 2025:

• New Brunswick: $15.30 → $15.65 (2.3% increase)
• Newfoundland and Labrador: $15.60 → $16.00 (2.6%)
• Nova Scotia: $15.20 → $15.70 (3.3%), with another increase coming on October 1
• Yukon: $17.59 → $17.94 (2.0%)

Later in the year, other provinces will follow suit. Quebec’s minimum wage is set to rise to $16.10 on May 1, while B.C. will reach $17.85 on June 1, making it the only province with a minimum wage above the federal rate.

Some Provinces Lag Behind

Despite these increases, some regions continue to fall behind. Alberta, for instance, hasn’t raised its minimum wage since 2019, keeping it at $15.00 per hour—one of the lowest rates in the country, tied with Saskatchewan.

A second wave of increases is expected on October 1 in Manitoba, Ontario, P.E.I., and Saskatchewan, though exact figures have yet to be confirmed.

The federal government says these annual adjustments help wages keep pace with inflation and the cost of living. However, with the rising costs of rent, groceries, and other essentials, many workers may still find themselves struggling—especially in Canada’s most expensive cities.

Will You Be Getting a Raise?

Whether or not your paycheque increases depends on your job and location. If you work in a federally regulated industry, the raise is automatic. But for many private-sector workers, wage increases are not guaranteed.

As living costs continue to climb, the question remains: are these raises enough?