Ontario’s minimum wage rises to $17.95

Barista pouring coffee at a cafe — food service workers are among those most affected by minimum wage changes

Photo via Pexels

Photo via Pexels · Image source

Source published Oct 1, 2026 · Ontario

What To Know

Ontario has increased its general minimum wage from $17.60 to $17.95 an hour. The province says the change benefits more than 700,000 workers.

Local employers and workers can check the provincial announcement for details. Special rates and exemptions can apply; the general rate does not cover every role.

Background: Ontario adjusts its minimum wage annually based on the Ontario Consumer Price Index; this increase was announced in April 2026 and took effect on October 1, 2026. Student and homeworker rates also rose, to $16.90 and $19.70 respectively.

Four other provinces — Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, Manitoba and Saskatchewan — also raised their minimum wages on October 1, 2026, leaving Alberta as the only province that has not raised its rate this year.

Summary based on Ontario Newsroom .

Source checked Oct 2, 2026 · Added to Tamil Directory Oct 2, 2026. Updated Oct 8, 2026.