Canada’s New Minimum Wage Effective October 2025: Is Your Province on the List?

The new minimum wage in Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island will come into effect starting October 1, 2025.

This change follows recent adjustments elsewhere in Canada: British Columbia raised its minimum wage on June 1, 2025, Quebec on May 1, 2025, and the federal minimum wage increased to $17.75 on April 1, 2025.

The minimum wage is the lowest hourly rate employers can legally pay workers in Canada. It applies to virtually all employees—regardless of age or hours worked—and paying below this rate is illegal.

This in-depth guide explores the 2025 minimum wage increase across these five provinces and outlines the next scheduled increase for every Canadian province so you can stay informed and plan ahead.

What Minimum Wage Increases Mean For Workers And Employers

Minimum wage adjustments ripple through hiring budgets, pay grids, and scheduling practices. For workers, they affect take-home pay, overtime thresholds, and eligibility for certain benefits. For employers, they shape payroll forecasting, menu and retail pricing, contract bids, and staffing models—especially in sectors with tight margins such as retail, hospitality, agriculture, and care services.

Key takeaways:

• Minimum wage sets a legal pay floor. Employers must adjust wages by the first pay period that includes October 1, 2025, in the five affected provinces.

• Students, homeworkers, and special occupations may have distinct rates that also adjust on October 1, 2025 (see provincial details below).

• Aligning wages with inflation and cost of living is a common rationale, though debates continue about how far and how fast rates should rise.

Quick Comparison Table For October 1, 2025

Ontario’s Minimum Wage Increase for 2025

Effective October 1, 2025, Ontario’s minimum wage will rise to $17.60 per hour, up $0.40 from the current rate of $17.20 per hour set on October 1, 2024.

Estimated annual impact: The Ontario government estimates that a full-time minimum wage worker (40 hours per week) will earn an additional $835 annually from this change.

Special wage categories in Ontario

• Students under 18 working 28 hours or less per week during the school year or during school breaks will see their minimum wage increase from $16.20 to $16.60 per hour.

• Homeworkers (those performing paid work from home for employers) will see their wage rise from $18.90 to $19.35 per hour.

• Hunting, fishing, and wilderness guides will earn $88.05 per day for shifts under five hours (up from $86.00) and $176.15 per day for shifts of five hours or more (up from $172.05).

Context and ongoing debate

Despite the increase, debates persist. The Ontario Living Wage Network highlights that a living wage in many communities is around $19.50 per hour, while the GTA is closer to $26 per hour to cover basic living costs. Labour advocates argue for a minimum wage exceeding $20 per hour, while some business groups caution about potential impacts on employment and prices.

Ontario’s minimum wage history

• Oct 1, 2025 – Sep 30, 2026: $17.60/hour

• Oct 1, 2024 – Sep 30, 2025: $17.20/hour

• Oct 1, 2023 – Sep 30, 2024: $16.55/hour

• Oct 1, 2022 – Sep 30, 2023: $15.50/hour

• Jan 1, 2022 – Sep 30, 2022: $15.00/hour

Manitoba’s Minimum Wage Increase

On October 1, 2025, Manitoba’s minimum wage increases to $16.00 per hour, a $0.20 hike from the current $15.80 per hour (effective since October 1, 2024).

This comes after a significant $0.50 increase in 2024 (from $15.30) and a $1.80 jump in 2023 (from $13.50 to $15.30).

Manitoba now adjusts wage rates annually based on the provincial Consumer Price Index (CPI), with the next review scheduled for October 1, 2026. The CPI-based approach aims to support workers while maintaining economic stability by aligning wages to inflation trends.

Nova Scotia Minimum Wage Increase 2025

Nova Scotia is implementing two increases in 2025 to address rising living costs:

• April 1, 2025: The minimum wage rose to $15.70 per hour from $15.20 (set April 1, 2024).

• October 1, 2025: It will further increase to $16.50 per hour.

Recent Nova Scotia minimum wage history

• Oct 1, 2025: $16.50/hour

• Apr 1, 2025: $15.70/hour

• Apr 1, 2024: $15.20/hour

• Oct 1, 2023: $15.00/hour

Saskatchewan’s Minimum Wage Hike

Saskatchewan’s minimum hourly wage will rise to $15.35 per hour on October 1, 2025, up from $15.00 per hour (effective October 1, 2024).

This follows a large $1.00 increase in 2024 (from $14.00). The province plans another adjustment on October 1, 2026, maintaining a gradual approach to balance worker needs and business sustainability.

Saskatchewan’s minimum hourly wage increase history

• October 1, 2025 — $15.35

• October 1, 2024 — $15.00

• October 1, 2023 — $14.00

• October 1, 2022 — $13.00

• June 1, 2022 — $12.52

• October 1, 2021 — $11.81

Prince Edward Island’s Hourly Minimum Wage Boost

On October 1, 2025, Prince Edward Island’s minimum wage will increase from $16.00 to $16.50 per hour.

This follows a $0.50 raise on October 1, 2024, from $15.50 to $16.00. In addition, PEI has scheduled another increase for April 1, 2026, bringing the minimum wage to $17.00 per hour.

PEI’s minimum hourly wage increase history

• April 1, 2026 — $17.00 per hour

• October 1, 2025 — $16.50 per hour

• October 1, 2024 — $16.00 per hour

• April 1, 2024 — $15.40 per hour

• October 1, 2023 — $15.00 per hour

• January 1, 2023 — $14.50 per hour

Minimum Hourly Wage Rates In All Canadian Provinces And Next Raise Schedule

The table below summarizes current minimum wages, the next announced raise, and the next effective date across Canada, including federally regulated industries.

Note: “Current Minimum Wage” reflects rates immediately prior to the October 1, 2025 changes in the five highlighted provinces.

How To Prepare For October 1, 2025

For employers

• Update payroll systems so the new rates apply to hours worked on or after October 1, 2025.

• Review student and special category roles (e.g., Ontario students, homeworkers, guides) to ensure the correct rate is used.

• Revise job postings and offer letters to avoid advertising non-compliant rates.

• Model overtime and scheduling costs where weekend and seasonal peaks are common.

• Communicate changes to staff through a brief memo or notice so expectations are clear.

For workers

• Know your provincial rate and category. If you’re a student or homeworker in Ontario, confirm the specific rate that applies to you.

• Track hours around the transition date to ensure pay reflects the new rate.

• Ask about wage grids. If your workplace uses steps or tiers, find out how the minimum wage bump affects your progression.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the minimum wage in Ontario?
The current minimum wage in Ontario is $17.20 per hour (effective October 1, 2024), increasing to $17.60 per hour on October 1, 2025.

When does Ontario’s minimum hourly wage increase?
The next increase is scheduled for October 1, 2025, to $17.60 per hour.

What is the minimum hourly wage in Saskatchewan?
Saskatchewan’s minimum hourly wage is currently $15.00 per hour (effective October 1, 2024), rising to $15.35 per hour on October 1, 2025.

What is the minimum hourly wage in Manitoba?
Manitoba’s current minimum hourly wage is $15.80 per hour (effective October 1, 2024), increasing to $16.00 per hour on October 1, 2025.

Why are minimum hourly wages increasing?
Provinces adjust minimum wages to address inflation, rising living costs, and economic pressures, ensuring workers can afford basic necessities while giving employers a predictable schedule for planning.

Final Thoughts

The minimum wage increases in Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island reflect Canada’s ongoing efforts to support workers in a challenging economic climate. These changes will directly affect millions—from students and seasonal staff to full-time employees—while continuing debates about the gap between minimum wage and a living wage. Stay tuned for further updates, as provinces like PEI and Saskatchewan have already scheduled additional increases for 2026.

For the latest on minimum hourly wage changes and how they affect you, bookmark this page and share it with friends and colleagues. These adjustments are a step toward addressing cost-of-living concerns, but many advocates argue that more will be needed to close the distance between legal minimums and actual living-wage benchmarks.