Overtime Rules in Canada: Province-by-Province Guide

Canada has no single overtime threshold for every workplace. The governing jurisdiction, occupation, schedule and exemption determine when overtime begins and how it is paid.

Quick answer

General overtime thresholds range from daily and weekly tests to weekly-only tests. Most general premiums are 1.5 times a defined regular rate, but New Brunswick and Newfoundland and Labrador use minimum overtime wage concepts that require special attention.

Always confirm: jurisdiction, employee coverage, occupation or industry exception, averaging arrangement, public-holiday week and the legally defined wage rate.

General overtime rules by jurisdiction

This table is a high-level starting point for employees covered by the general rule. It is not a substitute for the linked official standard.

Jurisdiction	General overtime trigger	General premium / important note
Federal	Over 8 hours/day or 40 hours/week; greater overtime total is used	At least 1.5× regular hourly wage; sector regulations can modify thresholds.
Alberta	Over 8 hours/day or 44 hours/week, whichever gives more overtime	At least 1.5× regular wage unless a valid overtime agreement applies.
British Columbia	Over 8 hours/day or 40 hours/week	1.5× over 8 through 12 daily; 2× over 12 daily; 1.5× weekly overtime.
Manitoba	Generally over 8 hours/day or 40 hours/week	1.5× regular wage; permits, flex-time and industry rules can change the schedule.
New Brunswick	Over 44 hours/week	At least the minimum overtime rate, currently 1.5× minimum wage, not automatically 1.5× every employee’s regular wage.
Newfoundland and Labrador	Over 40 hours/week	Minimum overtime wage applies; $24.53/hour from April 1, 2026.
Northwest Territories	Over 8 hours/day or 40 hours/week	At least 1.5× regular rate.
Nova Scotia	Generally over 48 hours/week	1.5× regular wage; separate rules apply to some groups.
Nunavut	Over 8 hours/day or 40 hours/week	At least 1.5× regular rate; holiday weeks and permits can alter the test.
Ontario	Generally over 44 hours/week; no general daily overtime	1.5× regular rate; many occupation and industry exceptions exist.
Prince Edward Island	Over 44 hours/week	1.5× regular wage; averaging agreements and exemption orders can apply.
Quebec	Generally over 40 hours/week	1.5× regular hourly wage; exclusions and different standard weeks apply.
Saskatchewan	Over scheduled daily limit (commonly 8 or 10) and over 40 hours/week	1.5× hourly wage; employee receives applicable daily and weekly overtime without double counting.
Yukon	Over 8 hours/day or 40 hours/week	1.5× regular wage; valid averaging or short-work-week agreements can alter standard hours.

Reviewed August 2, 2026. Thresholds can change and exceptions can be extensive. Follow the official links below before making a payroll or legal decision.

Daily and weekly overtime are not the same everywhere

Ontario’s general rule is weekly only after 44 hours. British Columbia can produce daily overtime even when the weekly total is below 40. Alberta calculates daily and weekly totals and uses the greater overtime-hour total. Saskatchewan permits common 8-hour or 10-hour schedules while keeping a 40-hour regular week.

Do not move hours or formulas from one jurisdiction into another calculator.

Salary does not automatically remove overtime rights

Coverage normally turns on the governing law, the employee’s actual duties and any exemption—not simply whether pay is expressed as an annual salary. See Are Salaried Employees Entitled to Overtime in Canada?.

Why the general rule may not apply

Managers, supervisors and specified professionals may be excluded depending on the jurisdiction and actual duties.
Trucking, agriculture, construction, hospitality and other industries can have different thresholds.
Averaging, modified schedules, collective agreements or permits can change when overtime begins.
Public holidays can reduce the weekly standard in some jurisdictions.
Time off in lieu or overtime banking requires the form and timing permitted by the governing law.

Estimate Ontario general-rule overtime

The current WageWise statutory overtime calculator supports selected Ontario ESA general-rule scenarios only.

Open Ontario Overtime Calculator

Official government sources

This guide is educational information, not legal or payroll advice.