April 24th, 2024 at 04:19 pm

Minimum wage rates and overtime rules in Canada

The minimum wage is the lowest amount an employer can pay an employee per hour of work. This sum is determined by the government of the relevant jurisdiction, or by the federal government for federally regulated firms.

Minimum wage increases usually occur once or twice a year and are frequently linked to inflation and the Consumer Price Index.

Overtime rates are the minimal amount you must pay an employee (whether salaried or hourly) if they work more than a certain (by law) number of hours per week, or in some countries per day. Some jurisdictions provide exemptions for specific industries.

Federally regulated industries

The federal minimum wage is now $17.30 per hour.

This minimum wage applies to all federally regulated businesses.

The minimum overtime rate is one and a half times the employee’s usual compensation for any hours worked over eight in a day or forty in a week. Certain exceptions may apply.

The government website provides more information on the minimum wage and overtime.

Alberta

Alberta’s minimum wage is presently $15.00 per hour.

For students under 18, the minimum salary is $13.00 for the first 28 hours worked per week. After 28 hours, the student must be paid $15 per hour.

The minimum overtime rate is one and a half times the employee’s usual wage for any hours worked over 8 in a day or 44 in a week. Certain exceptions may apply.

The government website provides more information on the minimum wage and overtime.

British Columbia

British Columbia’s minimum wage is presently $16.75 per hour. The minimum wage will be increased to $17.40 per hour on June 1, 2024.

The minimum daily overtime rate is one and a half times the employee’s regular compensation for all hours worked over eight in a day, up to twelve hours. After 12 hours, the overtime rate doubles the employee’s usual compensation. This applies even if the employee only works 40 hours per week.

The minimum weekly overtime rate is one and a half times the employee’s regular rate of pay for all hours worked in excess of 40 in a week, even if the employee only worked 8 hours per day. Certain exceptions may apply.

The government website provides more information on the minimum wage and overtime.

Manitoba

Manitoba’s minimum wage is currently $15.30 an hour.

The minimum overtime rate is 1.5 times the employee’s usual wage. Overtime is paid after 8 hours worked in one day or 40 hours in a week. Certain exceptions may apply.

The government website provides more information on the minimum wage and overtime, including exclusions.

New Brunswick

New Brunswick’s minimum wage is presently $15.30 per hour.

The minimum overtime wage rate is one and a half times the minimum wage for any hours worked in excess of 44 per week. Certain exceptions may apply.

The government website provides more information on the minimum wage and overtime.

Newfoundland & Labrador

Newfoundland and Labrador’s minimum wage is presently $15.60 per hour.

The minimum overtime wage rate is one and a half times the minimum wage for any hours worked in excess of 40 per week. Certain exceptions may apply.

The government website provides more information on the minimum wage and overtime.

Northwest Territories

The Northwest Territories’ minimum wage is presently $16.05 per hour.

The minimum overtime rate is one and a half times the employee’s usual compensation for any hours worked over 8 in a day or 40 in a week. Certain exceptions may apply.

The government website provides more information on the minimum wage and overtime.

Nova Scotia

Nova Scotia’s minimum wage is presently $15.20 per hour.

The minimum overtime rate is one and a half times the employee’s usual compensation for any hours worked in excess of 48 per week. Certain exceptions may apply.

The government website provides more information on the minimum wage and overtime.

Nunavut

Nunavut’s minimum wage is presently $19.00 per hour.

The minimum overtime rate is one and a half times the employee’s usual compensation for any hours worked after 8 a day or 40 a week. Certain exceptions may apply.

The government website provides more information on the minimum wage and overtime.

Ontario

Ontario’s minimum wage is currently $16.55 per hour. The student minimum wage is $15.60/hour.

The minimum overtime rate is one and a half times the employee’s regular rate of pay for hours worked in excess of 44 per week. Certain exceptions may apply.

The government website provides more information on the minimum wage and overtime, including exclusions.

Prince Edward Island

Prince Edward Island’s minimum wage is presently $15.40 per hour.

For hours worked in excess of 48 per week, the minimum overtime wage is one and a half times the employee’s usual compensation. Certain exceptions may apply.

The government website provides more information on the minimum wage and overtime, including exclusions.

Quebec

Quebec’s minimum wage is presently $15.25 per hour. The minimum wage will be increased to $15.75 per hour on May 1, 2024.

For hours worked in excess of 40 per week, the minimum overtime rate is one and a half times the ordinary rate. Certain exceptions may apply.

The government website provides more information on the minimum wage and overtime, including exclusions.

Saskatchewan

Saskatchewan’s minimum wage is presently $14.00 per hour. The minimum wage will be increased to $15.00 per hour on October 1, 2024.

The minimum overtime rate is one and a half times the employee’s usual compensation for hours worked in excess of 40 per week. Employees who are scheduled to work 8 hours a day are paid overtime for any hours performed beyond that amount. Employees who are expected to work 10 hours a day are paid overtime if they work more than that. Certain exceptions may apply.

The government website provides more information on the minimum wage and overtime, including exclusions.

Yukon

The Yukon’s minimum wage is presently $17.59 per hour.

The minimal overtime rate is time and a half of the employee’s usual wage for hours worked beyond 8 in a day or 40 in a week. Certain exceptions may apply.

The government website provides more information on the minimum wage and overtime, including exclusions.

FAQ

Can I wait until the next pay period to begin paying the new minimum wage because April 1 falls in the middle of it?

No. The new minimum wage will go into effect on April 1. All hours worked on, or after that date must be compensated at the new minimum wage rate.

For example, the minimum wage will rise from $15.50 to $15.75*, with the pay period spanning March 24 to April 6. The employee works eight hours every day, Monday through Friday, and is paid the minimum wage.

Rate from March 24 to March 31 is $15.50.
Rate effective April 1: $15.75

*Rates are for illustrative purposes only

Do I need to raise the wages/salaries of my employees who already earn more than the minimum wage?

No. The law mandates you to pay at least the minimum wage to all employees; thereafter, compensation increases are at your discretion.

ALSO, READ

• FIRSTLY, CANADA WORK VISA 2023: NO LMIA || VISA & ACCOMMODATION PROVIDED
• SECONDLY, BECOME A TEACHER IN CANADA | PERMANENT RESIDENCY | MOVE TO CANADA
• THIRDLY, LIST OF COUNTRIES WHERE UAE EXPATS CAN GET AN E-VISA
• MOREOVER, CANADA’S FAMILY CLASS AND SPOUSE WORK PERMITS ARE OPEN
• THEN, CANADA OFFERS NEW INVESTMENT PROSPECTS IN IMMIGRANT SETTLEMENT SERVICES
• ALSO, CHECK THE NEWLY UNVEILED CANADA’S ‘WORLD’S MOST BEAUTIFULLY DESIGNED’ PASSPORT
• FURTHERMORE, CANADA’S FAMILY CLASS AND SPOUSE WORK PERMITS ARE OPEN
• ADDITIONALLY, CANADA OFFERS NEW INVESTMENT PROSPECTS IN IMMIGRANT SETTLEMENT SERVICES
• MORE SO, CHECK THE NEWLY UNVEILED CANADA’S ‘WORLD’S MOST BEAUTIFULLY DESIGNED’ PASSPORT
• MOREOVER, CANADA’S FAMILY CLASS AND SPOUSE WORK PERMITS ARE OPEN
• THEN, CANADA OFFERS NEW INVESTMENT PROSPECTS IN IMMIGRANT SETTLEMENT SERVICES
• ALSO, CHECK THE NEWLY UNVEILED CANADA’S ‘WORLD’S MOST BEAUTIFULLY DESIGNED’ PASSPORT
• FINALLY, THE BEST AND WORST COUNTRIES FOR SCHENGEN VISAS FOR TRAVELLERS REVEAL