Ontario Increasing Minimum Wage to $16.55 an Hour

March 31, 2023

Minimum wage Ontario Increasing October 2023

The Ontario government is increasing the minimum wage to $16.55 an hour on October 1, 2023. This 6.8 per cent pay raise for low-income workers builds on the government’s steady and predictable increases every year to help families offset the rising cost of living.

“Under the leadership of Premier Ford, our government is putting workers in the driver’s seat of their careers, and their lives,” said Monte McNaughton, Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development. “This latest increase is a fair and balanced approach that means more money in their pockets so they can support their families and continuing building a stronger Ontario for all of us.”

Monte McNaughton, Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development

A worker making the general minimum wage and working 40 hours per week will see an annual pay increase of nearly $2,200. There were 942,400 workers earning $16.55 per hour or below in 2022, the majority of whom are women.

This wage increase builds on the government’s work to make Ontario the best place to live, work and raise a family. Most recently, the government introduced the Working for Workers Act, 2023which will, if passed, provide ground-breaking protections for millions of workers in Ontario.

Quick Facts

  • Just over 40 per cent of workers at or below the current general minimum wage of $15.50 per hour are in retail trade and almost 25 per cent are in accommodation and food services.
  • Ontario’s new minimum wage is the highest of any province in the country. For example, Quebec has a minimum wage of $14.25 an hour, British Columbia $15.65 an hour, and Alberta $15.00 an hour.
  • The special minimum wage rates will also increase for:
    • students under the age of 18, who work 28 hours a week or less when school is in session or work during a school break or summer holidays, from $14.60 to $15.60 an hour.
    • homeworkers (those who do paid work out of their own homes for employers), from $17.05 to $18.20 an hour.
    • hunting, fishing and wilderness guides, from $77.60 to $82.85 per day when working less than five consecutive hours in day, and $155.25 to $165.75 per day when working five or more hours in a day.

More Information

Source

Related Story

MCAM and ECAM Make Joint Submission on Minimum Wage Rate Review for Apprentices

In August of 2022, the Manitoba Government announced its plan to increase the minimum wage from $11.95 to
$15 by October 2023. The Minister acknowledged the increase will have a direct impact on apprentices and industry employers for those trades whereby earnings are based on a percentage of the provincial minimum wage.

Related Articles


Latest Articles

  • How ABB’s Hi-Tech Valiant™ Current Limiting Fuse for Fire Mitigation Impacts Safety & Reliability, Protecting the Environment & Critical Infrastructure

    How ABB’s Hi-Tech Valiant™ Current Limiting Fuse for Fire Mitigation Impacts Safety & Reliability, Protecting the Environment & Critical Infrastructure

    March 13, 2025 By Blake Marchand Discussing the Hi-Tech Valiant™ Fuse for Fire Mitigation with ABB’s Dominique Tardif There has been increased awareness on the impact of forest fires in recent years, as wildfire seasons have intensified in North America. We recently saw devastating fires in California, and in Canada, statistics show that each year wildfire seasons… Read More…

  • EFC Tariff Update Hub

    EFC Tariff Update Hub

    March 13, 2025 EFC’s Tarrif Update Hub provides a centralized location for EFC actions, government advocacy, and key industry resources regarding the ongoing tariff situation between Canada and the United States. Designed to keep EFC members aligned and ahead of developments, check back for updates and insights to help you navigate the evolving landscape. EFC… Read More…

  • International Women’s Day 2025: Advancing Equity in the Skilled Trades

    International Women’s Day 2025: Advancing Equity in the Skilled Trades

    March 13, 2025 On March 8, 2025, CAF-FCA celebrates International Women’s Day (IWD) by reaffirming our commitment to breaking barriers and advancing opportunities for women and equity-priority groups in the skilled trades. This year’s theme, “For ALL Women and Girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment,” is a powerful call to action—one that aligns with our efforts to… Read More…

  • EFC is Proud to Recognize March 8 as International Women’s Day

    EFC is Proud to Recognize March 8 as International Women’s Day

    March 13, 2025 By Electro-Federation Canada Imagine a gender equal world. A world free of bias, stereotypes, and discrimination. A world that’s diverse, equitable, and inclusive. A world where difference is valued and celebrated. Together we can forge women’s equality. Collectively for #IWD2025 we can all #AccelerateAction. Focusing on the need to Accelerate Action emphasizes the importance of taking swift… Read More…


Changing Scene

  • Canada Invests in Deep Energy Retrofits for Affordable Housing in Hamilton

    Canada Invests in Deep Energy Retrofits for Affordable Housing in Hamilton

    March 13, 2025 There is a need and an opportunity for Canada to strengthen energy security and affordability for all Canadians. Canada’s buildings sector is the third-largest contributor to greenhouse gas emissions across the country. By increasing the scale and pace of building retrofits, we can make homes and buildings more energy-efficient and improve reliability in units.  The federal… Read More…

  • Tesla Products Excluded from BC Hydro Incentive Program

    Tesla Products Excluded from BC Hydro Incentive Program

    March 13, 2025 CBC has reported that BC Hydro is excluding Tesla products from their EV charger incentive program. However, products purchased prior to March 12 will still be eligible. “As of March 12, Tesla chargers, energy storage batteries and inverters are not eligible for rebates, according to B.C. Hydro. Those who have purchased or… Read More…

  • Acuity Rebrands and Introduces New Corporate Identity

    Acuity Rebrands and Introduces New Corporate Identity

    March 13, 2025 Acuity Brands, Inc.’s corporate name is changing from Acuity Brands, Inc. to Acuity Inc. effective March 26, 2025. Acuity will continue to operate through two business segments, Acuity Brands Lighting (ABL) and Acuity Intelligent Spaces (AIS), formerly Intelligent Spaces Group (ISG). They will continue trading on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol “AYI”. “Acuity is positioned for long term growth…. Read More…

  • IDEAL Electrical™ Unveils Fresh, Modern Brand Identity

    IDEAL Electrical™ Unveils Fresh, Modern Brand Identity

    March 7, 2025 IDEAL Electrical was the first company to obtain a patent to make and sell wire connectors in the United States 96 years ago this month – and today IDEAL® announces a modern look for the brand, which captures the company’s spirit of relentless innovation and the optimistic future of the electrical trade. … Read More…