Minimum wage by province in Canada, October 2026

Updated Oct. 8, 2026

Canada’s general minimum wage ranges from $15 an hour in Alberta to $20.17 an hour in Nunavut as of Oct. 8, 2026, after increases took effect on Oct. 1 in Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island.

The federal rate for federally regulated workplaces is $18.15 an hour. Each rate below comes from the relevant government’s own announcement or published rules, and the table lists the next scheduled change where one exists.

Minimum wage rates by province and territory

The rates are general minimums for adult workers. Provinces set separate rates for students, tipped workers, live-in caregivers and some other groups, and the federal rate yields to a higher provincial one. If the minimum wage in a federally regulated worker’s province or territory is higher than the federal rate, the provincial or territorial rate applies.

Increases on Oct. 1

Ontario’s general rate rose to $17.95 from $17.60, and its student rate for workers under 18 rose to $16.90 from $16.60, according to the Government of Ontario. The province indexes its rate to inflation and announces it by April 1 each year.

Manitoba’s rate is $16.40 an hour effective Oct. 1, 2026, according to the Government of Manitoba.

Saskatchewan’s rate rose to $15.70 from $15.35 on Oct. 1, according to a June 29 provincial news release. The province uses a formula that gives equal weight to consumer price index changes and average hourly wage changes.

Nova Scotia’s rate rose to $17 from $16.75, the second of two steps in 2026, according to a provincial news release. The Minimum Wage Order sets future adjustments each April 1 starting in 2027, based on projected inflation plus one per cent.

Prince Edward Island’s rate rose to $17.30 from $17 under a Minimum Wage Order approved by Executive Council on March 31, 2026. The same order sets $17.60 an hour from April 1, 2027.

Increases earlier in 2026

Nunavut’s rate rose to $20.17 on Sept. 1, which keeps it the highest in Canada, according to the Government of Nunavut. The Northwest Territories rose to $17.20 from $16.95 the same day, according to the Government of the Northwest Territories.

B.C.’s rate rose to $18.25 from $17.85 on June 1, according to a provincial news release. Quebec’s rate rose 50 cents to $16.60 on May 1, and the rate for tipped employees is $13.30, according to the CNESST.

The Yukon’s rate rose 57 cents to $18.51 on April 1, according to the Government of Yukon. Newfoundland and Labrador’s rate rose to $16.35 the same day, according to a provincial news release, and New Brunswick’s rose to $15.90 from $15.65, according to a provincial news release. New Brunswick also held a public consultation on how its minimum wage is set, with input open until Oct. 9, according to the province.

The federal rate rose to $18.15 from $17.75 on April 1, according to Employment and Social Development Canada. It covers banks, postal and courier services, and interprovincial air, rail, road and marine transportation.

Alberta

Alberta’s general minimum wage is $15 an hour, according to the Government of Alberta. Students under 18 can be paid $13 an hour for up to 28 hours a week while school is in session. Canada News Media found no announced increase.

Pay gap for a full-time worker

A worker paid Ontario’s $17.95 and working 40 hours a week earns $718 a week before taxes, or $37,336 over 52 weeks. At Alberta’s $15, the same schedule pays $600 a week, or $31,200 over 52 weeks. The difference is $6,136 a year before taxes and deductions. Employers in provinces with a lower rate may pay more, so the figures are legal floors rather than typical wages.

For other dates that change in the fall, see our guides to October benefit payment dates, to Ontario’s $17.95 minimum wage and to the Oct. 1 increases in four provinces.

Sources: the Government of Ontario, the Government of Manitoba, the Government of Saskatchewan, the Government of Nova Scotia, the Government of Prince Edward Island, the Government of Nunavut, the Government of the Northwest Territories, the Government of British Columbia, Quebec’s CNESST, the Government of Yukon, the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, the Government of New Brunswick, the Government of Alberta and Employment and Social Development Canada, each linked above. Rates change, so confirm with your province or territory before relying on a figure for payroll.

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