Toronto 
Following the increase of the federal minimum wage to $16.65 beginning April 1, the Ontario government has announced a 6.8% increase in the minimum wage, which will be raised to $16.55 per hour from 1 October 2023.
The minimum wage for students under 18 years old who work 28 hours a week or less during school or summer breaks will increase from $14.60 to $15.60 per hour.
Homeworkers will see an increase from $17.05 to $18.20 per hour, while hunting, fishing, and wilderness guides will receive an increase in their daily rates, from $77.60 to $82.85 for less than five consecutive hours worked in a day and from $155.25 to $165.75 for five or more hours worked in a day.
According to the news release, the increase will result in a pay rise of nearly $2,200 per annum for a worker on a general minimum wage working 40 hours per week. A total of 942,400 workers earning $16.55 per hour or below were recorded in 2022, with the majority being women.
The minimum wage increase in Ontario is the highest of any province in the country announced until now.
Quebec currently has a minimum wage of $14.25 an hour, British Columbia has a minimum wage of $15.65 an hour, and Alberta has a minimum wage of $15.00 an hour.
The new minimum wage increase will also raise special minimum wage rates for students, homeworkers, hunting, fishing, and wilderness guides.
