Minimum Wage in Canada 2026 (All Provinces & Territories)
Current minimum wage rates for every Canadian province and territory. Highest: Nunavut at $20.17/hour.
| Province / Territory | General rate | Student / other | Next adjustment |
|---|---|---|---|
Alberta Students under 18 working ≤28 hrs/week during school. | $15.00/hr | Student $13.00 | — |
British Columbia Liquor servers earn the general minimum since 2021. | $18.25/hr | — | Indexed to inflation, adjusted every June 1. |
Manitoba | $16.40/hr | — | Adjusted every Oct 1 (inflation-linked). |
New Brunswick | $15.90/hr | — | Indexed to CPI each April 1. |
Newfoundland and Labrador | $16.35/hr | — | Adjusted every April 1. |
Nova Scotia | $17.00/hr | — | Raised on Apr 1 and Oct 1 in 2026; check the province for the next change. |
Northwest Territories | $17.20/hr | — | — |
Nunavut Highest general minimum in Canada. | $20.17/hr | — | Reviewed periodically; last raised Sept 1, 2026. |
Ontario Student rate applies to those under 18 working ≤28 hrs/week during school; homeworkers earn 110% of the general rate. | $17.95/hr | Student $16.90 | Adjusted every Oct 1 (CPI-linked). |
Prince Edward Island | $17.30/hr | — | Scheduled to rise to $17.60 on April 1, 2027. |
Quebec Tipped employees (servers) earn $13.30/hr since May 1, 2026. | $16.60/hr | — | Adjusted every May 1. |
Saskatchewan | $15.70/hr | — | Indexed each Oct 1. |
Yukon | $18.51/hr | — | Indexed to CPI each April 1. |
| Federal (federally regulated) | $18.15/hr | — | Indexed annually each April 1 |
Sources: provincial labour ministries and the federal Labour Program. Last verified 2026-10-09. Rates can change mid-year — confirm on the government of your province's site before using in employment contracts.
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How minimum wage works in Canada in 2026
- Every province sets its own minimum wage — there is no single Canadian rate.
- Nunavut is highest at $20.17; Alberta is lowest at $15.00.
- The federal $18.15 rate applies only to federally regulated industries.
- Most provinces now index to inflation and adjust annually.
- Ontario, Manitoba and Saskatchewan adjust each Oct 1; NB, NL and Yukon each April 1; BC each June 1; Quebec each May 1.
Who is covered by the federal minimum wage
The federal minimum applies to federally regulated employers: banks, telecom (Bell, Rogers, Telus), airlines (Air Canada, WestJet), interprovincial trucking, marine and rail, First Nations government, radio and TV broadcasting, and postal service. If you're a cashier at a Loblaws in Ontario, you get the Ontario rate, not the federal.
Special rates within a province
Ontario runs three sub-rates: student (under 18, ≤28 hrs/week during school) at $16.90, homeworker at $19.70, and hunting/fishing guides at a piece rate. Alberta keeps a student rate of $13.00. Only Quebec still has a separate lower rate for tipped workers ($13.30/hr since May 1, 2026).
How this tool works
- The table lists the current general minimum wage for all 13 provinces and territories, with the date each rate took effect.
- Where a province publishes a separate rate (for example, students under 18 or liquor servers), it's shown alongside.
- Rates come from our shared wage table, last reviewed 2026-10-09; each province page links to its official source.
- Full-time figures assume 40 hours × 52 weeks; change the hours in the salary converter for part-time schedules.
Worked example: what a full-time minimum wage job pays in Ontario
- Ontario's general minimum wage: $17.95 an hour (since 2026-10-01).
- 40 hours × 52 weeks = $37,336 a year before tax.
- Estimated take-home after federal and Ontario tax, CPP and EI: about $30,808 a year, or $1,185 every two weeks.
Most hourly employees also earn vacation pay (at least 4% in Ontario for the first five years), which isn't included above. See minimum wage in Ontario for the full breakdown.
Tips for job seekers in Canada
- Federally regulated employers (for example banks, airlines, telecoms and interprovincial trucking) must pay at least the federal minimum, or the provincial rate if it's higher.
- Many provinces adjust their rates each year on a fixed date (often April 1 or October 1) using inflation. Check the effective date in the table before you rely on an older figure.
- International students and temporary foreign workers are entitled to the same minimum wage and employment standards as everyone else.
- Cash jobs below minimum wage are illegal for the employer and risky for you. Employment standards offices accept complaints, including from people on work permits.
Minimum wage vs living costs: where to look next
| If you want to know… | Use |
|---|---|
| What a rate pays per year or month | Hourly to salary calculator |
| Take-home pay after tax | Salary after tax by province |
| What jobs pay above minimum | Salaries by occupation (Job Bank data) |
| Your province's full rules | The province page linked in the table |
Keep going: related guides and data
Sources
Last updated by the Jobeefy editorial team. Written and reviewed under our editorial policy; AI features are described in our AI content policy. This page is general information, not legal, tax or immigration advice.
Frequently asked questions
What is the minimum wage in Ontario in 2026?
The Ontario general minimum wage is $17.95/hour as of Oct 1, 2026. Students under 18 working ≤28 hours per week during school earn $16.90/hour. Adjustments are CPI-linked each October.
Which province has the highest minimum wage in Canada?
Nunavut, at $20.17/hour since Sept 1, 2026, has the highest general minimum wage in Canada. Yukon follows at $18.51/hour and BC at $18.25/hour.
What is the federal minimum wage in Canada?
The federal minimum applies to employees in federally regulated sectors (banks, airlines, telecom, interprovincial trucking). It is $18.15/hour since April 1, 2026, or the higher provincial rate if applicable.
When does the minimum wage go up in Canada?
Most jurisdictions adjust once a year, usually tied to inflation. Ontario, Manitoba and Saskatchewan change on Oct 1; New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador and Yukon on April 1; BC on June 1; Quebec on May 1. PEI and Nova Scotia raised their rates on both April 1 and Oct 1 in 2026.
Do tipped workers earn less?
Only Quebec still has a separate lower rate for tipped employees ($13.30/hour since May 1, 2026). BC eliminated the separate liquor-server rate in 2021, and Ontario in 2022.
What is Alberta's minimum wage in 2026?
$15.00/hour general, unchanged since October 2018 — the lowest general rate in Canada. Alberta also has a student rate of $13.00 for those under 18 working ≤28 hours per week during the school year.
What is BC's minimum wage in 2026?
$18.25/hour since June 1, 2026, adjusted each June 1 based on CPI. BC eliminated its separate liquor-server minimum wage in 2021, so servers now earn the general minimum plus tips.
Do minimum wage rules apply to international students?
Yes. Students working off campus or on campus are covered by the same provincial employment standards, including minimum wage, as any other worker.
Is the minimum wage the same for part-time workers?
Yes. The minimum is an hourly rate, so it applies to every hour worked, whether you work 10 hours a week or 40.
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