💵 Minimum wage
Minimum wage in Canada 2026
The federal minimum wage is $18.15 an hour. Among provinces and territories, the highest is Nunavut at $20.17 and the lowest is Alberta at $15.00.
Current general minimum wage, by province and territory
| Jurisdiction | Hourly | Since | Next increase | Full-time year* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nunavut | $20.17 | September 1, 2026 | — | $41,954 |
| Yukon | $18.51 | April 1, 2026 | — | $38,501 |
| British Columbia | $18.25 | June 1, 2026 | — | $37,960 |
| Federal | $18.15 | April 1, 2026 | — | $37,752 |
| Ontario | $17.95 | October 1, 2026 | — | $37,336 |
| Prince Edward Island | $17.30 | October 1, 2026 | $17.60 on April 1, 2027 | $35,984 |
| Northwest Territories | $17.20 | September 1, 2026 | — | $35,776 |
| Nova Scotia | $17.00 | October 1, 2026 | — | $35,360 |
| Quebec | $16.60 | May 1, 2026 | — | $34,528 |
| Manitoba | $16.40 | October 1, 2026 | — | $34,112 |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | $16.35 | April 1, 2026 | — | $34,008 |
| New Brunswick | $15.90 | April 1, 2026 | — | $33,072 |
| Saskatchewan | $15.35 | October 1, 2025 | — | $31,928 |
| Alberta | $15.00 | June 26, 2019 | — | $31,200 |
*Hourly rate × 40 hours × 52 weeks, before tax. The federal rate applies to federally regulated workplaces (banks, airlines, telecom, interprovincial transport); if a province's rate is higher, the higher rate applies. Some provinces have separate rates for students, servers or specific jobs.
Announced increases
- Prince Edward Island: $17.60 on April 1, 2027
Source: Employment and Social Development Canada, Historical minimum wage rates in Canada (open.canada.ca)
Minimum wage since 2000
Rate in force on January 1 of each year.
FAQ
Minimum wage questions
What is the minimum wage in Canada?
The federal minimum wage is $18.15 an hour (since April 1, 2026). Provincial rates range from $15.00 in Alberta to $20.17 in Nunavut.
What is the minimum wage in Nunavut?
The general minimum wage in Nunavut is $20.17 an hour, in effect since September 1, 2026.
What is the minimum wage in Yukon?
The general minimum wage in Yukon is $18.51 an hour, in effect since April 1, 2026.
What is the minimum wage in British Columbia?
The general minimum wage in British Columbia is $18.25 an hour, in effect since June 1, 2026.
What is the minimum wage in Ontario?
The general minimum wage in Ontario is $17.95 an hour, in effect since October 1, 2026.
What is the minimum wage in Prince Edward Island?
The general minimum wage in Prince Edward Island is $17.30 an hour, in effect since October 1, 2026. It rises to $17.60 on April 1, 2027.
What is the minimum wage in Northwest Territories?
The general minimum wage in Northwest Territories is $17.20 an hour, in effect since September 1, 2026.
What is the minimum wage in Nova Scotia?
The general minimum wage in Nova Scotia is $17.00 an hour, in effect since October 1, 2026.
What is the minimum wage in Quebec?
The general minimum wage in Quebec is $16.60 an hour, in effect since May 1, 2026.
What is the minimum wage in Manitoba?
The general minimum wage in Manitoba is $16.40 an hour, in effect since October 1, 2026.
What is the minimum wage in Newfoundland and Labrador?
The general minimum wage in Newfoundland and Labrador is $16.35 an hour, in effect since April 1, 2026.
What is the minimum wage in New Brunswick?
The general minimum wage in New Brunswick is $15.90 an hour, in effect since April 1, 2026.
What is the minimum wage in Saskatchewan?
The general minimum wage in Saskatchewan is $15.35 an hour, in effect since October 1, 2025.
What is the minimum wage in Alberta?
The general minimum wage in Alberta is $15.00 an hour, in effect since June 26, 2019.