Date-effective Canada-wide wage table
Minimum Wage by Province and Territory
Compare current general minimum wage rates across Canada, including announced future increases. Special rates and occupation-specific rules can differ.
Current snapshot
As of August 2, 2026, the lowest general provincial rate is Alberta’s $15.00 and the highest territorial rate is Nunavut’s $19.75. The federal rate is $18.15, but a federally regulated employee must receive the higher provincial or territorial rate when it exceeds the federal rate.
General minimum wage rates in Canada
| Jurisdiction | Current general rate | Effective date | Announced next rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Federal | $18.15 | April 1, 2026 | Annual April 1 adjustment; higher local rate applies where applicable |
| Alberta | $15.00 | June 26, 2019 | None listed |
| British Columbia | $18.25 | June 1, 2026 | Annual June 1 adjustment |
| Manitoba | $16.00 | October 1, 2025 | $16.40 on October 1, 2026 |
| New Brunswick | $15.90 | April 1, 2026 | Annual CPI adjustment |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | $16.35 | April 1, 2026 | Annual April 1 adjustment |
| Northwest Territories | $16.95 | September 1, 2025 | Annual September 1 adjustment; verify before September payroll |
| Nova Scotia | $16.75 | April 1, 2026 | $17.00 on October 1, 2026 |
| Nunavut | $19.75 | September 1, 2025 | None listed |
| Ontario | $17.60 | October 1, 2025 | $17.95 on October 1, 2026 |
| Prince Edward Island | $17.00 | April 1, 2026 | $17.30 on October 1, 2026; $17.60 on April 1, 2027 |
| Quebec | $16.60 | May 1, 2026 | None listed |
| Saskatchewan | $15.35 | October 1, 2025 | $15.70 on October 1, 2026 |
| Yukon | $18.51 | April 1, 2026 | Annual April 1 adjustment |
Source date: Government of Canada minimum wage database, modified June 7, 2026, checked August 2, 2026. Announced future rates are not yet current rates.
How the federal minimum wage works
The federal minimum wage applies to employees in federally regulated private sectors. If the general minimum wage of the province or territory where the employee usually works is higher, the employer must pay the higher rate.
Use the Federal Employment Jurisdiction Checker when the governing system is unclear.
General rates do not cover every worker category
Some jurisdictions set special rates for students, homeworkers, tipped employees, guides, government construction, camp staff or other occupations. Exemptions and pay-equivalency rules can also apply to salary, commission or piece-rate work.
The table should not be used to decide a special category. Open the official jurisdiction source and confirm the worker’s classification and work date.
Check an Ontario hourly wage
The Ontario calculator supports date-effective general, student and homeworker rates for its stated periods and eligibility limits.
Open Ontario Minimum Wage CalculatorOfficial sources and verification
- Government of Canada: current and forthcoming general minimum wages
- Federal pay and minimum wage
- Ontario minimum wage
- Alberta minimum wage
- British Columbia minimum wage
The federal database links to jurisdiction detail and is the central comparison source. Recheck a rate before a change date and before making a payroll decision.