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Reminder: Minimum wage rising in six provinces on Sunday

As we get set to flip the calendar and say goodbye to September, it’s easier to rhyme off the provinces where minimum wage is not rising. That’s because, on Oct. 1, workers in six Canadian provinces who are earning the minimum wage will receive a pay increase.

Ontario’s minimum wage is rising from $15.50 to $16.55 per hour on Sunday, Oct. 1. On the same date, Saskatchewan’s rate will rise $1 from $13 to $14 per hour, and Manitoba’s will rise to $15.30. The minimum wage is increasing 50 cents an hour to $15 on the same date in Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, and Newfoundland and Labrador.

Ontario

David Piccini, Ontario’s Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development, said the increase will help “more than 900,000 hard-working men and women across our province earn more take-home pay for themselves and their families.”

The 6.8% bump translates into up to $2,200 more in earnings, according to figures release by the province. It noted that the increase was announced six months ago, which is part of what it called a strategy to “deliver steady and predictable annual increases, helping families offset the rising cost of living while also providing certainty to businesses.”

Saskatchewan

Don McMorris, Saskatchewan’s Labour Relations and Workplace Safety Minister, said the minimum wage is just one of “many mechanisms used to take care of Saskatchewan workers and create more prosperity for everyone.”

“Other supports to assist minimum wage earners include the basic personal tax exemption, child tax credit and the Saskatchewan Low-Income Tax Credit,” said McMorris.

Manitoba

In Manitoba, the government pointed out that minimum wage earners will be making $3.35 per hour more than in September 2022. The wage rose earlier this year to $14.15 and is climbing to $15.30 on Oct. 1.

“Recognizing the exceptional financial challenges facing Manitobans, our government passed legislative amendments to the Employment Standards Code that, in prescribed circumstances, allow minimum wage to be increased by an additional amount above the legislated inflation-tied formula,” said Labour and Immigration Minister Jon Reyes back in March when the increase was announced. “To balance the financial realities of Manitoba workers and the economic challenges for small businesses, we implemented a phased-in approach that will help more Manitobans get ahead.”

Nova Scotia

The rise to $15 on Oct. 1 was announced in February, and it came six months sooner than initially scheduled following a recommendation from the Minimum Wage Review Committee.

“The minimum wage rate impacts the lives of workers and businesses, and we know the rising cost of inflation has been difficult for both,” said Jill Balser, Minister of Labour, Skills and Immigration. “After further consultation, we are accepting the full set of recommendations put forward by the Minimum Wage Review Committee. Given the unexpected and significant increase in inflation, the committee carefully considered the impacts and put forth a balanced plan.”

About 7% of workers in the province, or 28,500 Nova Scotians, earn minimum wage, according to the government.

Prince Edward Island

This is the second increase in 2023 for P.E.I. The wage rose 80 cents an hour on Jan. 1 to $14.50 per hour. It is rising an additional 50 cents on Oct. 1 to $15.

The Employment Standards Board reviews minimum wage annually and provides their recommendation to government after the review is complete, the province said.

Newfoundland and Labrador

The province’s minimum wage rose 80 cents on April 1, to $14.50 an hour. And on Oct. 1, it is rising to $15 an hour.

“Our government understands the importance of the minimum wage rate to employees and employers in Newfoundland and Labrador,” said Bernard Davis, Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Minister Responsible for Labour.

Minimum wage rates across Canada

• British Columbia: $16.75
• Alberta: $15
• Saskatchewan: $13 (rising to $14 on Oct. 1)
• Manitoba: $14.15 (rising to $15.30 on Oct. 1)
• Ontario: $15.50 (rising to $16.55 on Oct. 1)
• Quebec: $15.25
• New Brunswick: $14.75
• Prince Edward Island: $14.50 (rising to $15 on Oct. 1)
• Nova Scotia: $14.50 (rising to $15 on Oct. 1)
• Newfoundland and Labrador: $14.50 (rising to $15 on Oct. 1)
• Yukon: $16.77
• Northwest Territories: $16.05
• Nunavut: $16
• Federal: $16.65