Toronto 
Ontario is adjusting its minimum wage, with the latest increase set to take effect this fall.
Beginning October 1, 2026, the general minimum wage will rise from $17.60 to $17.95 per hour. The province says more than 700,000 workers will benefit. The increase is tied to a 1.9 per cent change in the Consumer Price Index, a mechanism meant to keep wages aligned with inflation while offering some predictability for employers.
Labour Minister David Piccini said the adjustment reflects the government’s effort to balance worker support with economic stability. For someone working 40 hours a week at minimum wage, the change translates to roughly $728 more per year.
Ontario continues to maintain different wage levels depending on the job, and will also increase with the minimum wage. Students under 18 will earn $16.90 per hour under certain conditions, while homeworkers, including those doing paid work from home, will receive $19.70 per hour. Hunting, fishing and wilderness guides are paid by time blocks, earning $89.75 for shifts under five hours and $179.50 for five hours or more.
The increase comes as wages shift across the country. The federal minimum wage increased to $18.15 per hour on April 1, 2026. Other provinces are also making adjustments. New Brunswick will move to $15.90, Newfoundland and Labrador to $16.35, Prince Edward Island to $17.00 and Yukon to $18.51. Quebec is set at $16.60 starting May 1, while British Columbia will reach $18.25 on June 1. Alberta remains at $15 per hour, with a lower $13 rate for students under 18.
