If you’re thinking about moving to Canada, you might be curious about the new minimum wage in 2024 and how it differs across the country.
People living in Canada also want to know when their province will increase the minimum wage, especially with inflation going up in recent years.
Nunavut has already increased its minimum wage from $16.00 to $19.00 per hour, starting from January 1, 2024. This is the highest minimum wage in the entire country.
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What Is Minimum Wage?
In Canada, the minimum wage is the lowest amount a company is legally required to pay its employees.
The federal government of Canada sets the minimum wage for federal government organizations, regardless of the province.
Each province in Canada sets its minimum wage for employees working for the provincial government and private businesses within that province.
To keep up with the cost of living each year, Canada and most provinces update their minimum wages annually.
New Minimum Wage 2024 For Federally Regulated Sectors in Canada
Starting April 1, 2024, the minimum wage for certain jobs in Canada will go up. These jobs are in areas like banking, postal services, and transportation that are regulated by the federal government.
Right now, the minimum wage for these jobs is $16.65 per hour. This amount was set on April 1, 2023, and before that, it was $15.55 per hour.
The new minimum wage, set to kick in on April 1, 2024, is expected to be around $17.17 per hour. This increase is based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for the year 2023, specifically a 3.1% increase reported by Statistics Canada in October 2023.
Minimum Wage In Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia’s new minimum wage is set to go up by 4.1% in 2024, based on the current inflation rates.
Starting April 1, the new minimum wage will be $15.60 per hour, up from the current $15. This adjustment happens every year on April 1, following the inflation rate plus an extra 1%.
New Minimum Wage In Prince Edward Island
On April 1, 2024, the minimum wage in Prince Edward Island will go up to $15.40 per hour.
Before that, it was raised from $14.50 to $15 per hour on October 1, 2023. Additionally, it will go up to $16 per hour on October 1, 2024.
New Minimum Wage In Brunswick
New Brunswick is expected to raise its minimum wage based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI), just like it did in 2023.
Right now, the minimum wage in New Brunswick is $14.75 per hour, increased from $13.75 per hour on April 1, 2023.
It is expected that the new minimum wage in New Brunswick will be approximately $15 per hour starting April 1, 2024.
Minimum Wage Increase In Yukon
On April 1, 2024, Yukon will increase its minimum wage because of the yearly increase in the cost of living.
Currently, the minimum wage in Yukon is $16.77 per hour, and it will go up to over $17.62 per hour on the same date.
Minimum Wage Increase 2024 In Ontario
Ontario will announce how much they’re raising the minimum wage by April 1, 2024. Even though they tell us on April 1, the new wage won’t start until October 1, 2024.
If they decide to raise it by just $1, then the minimum wage in Ontario will be $17.55 per hour.