Ontario Raises Minimum Wage to $17.95 Per Hour

The Government of Ontario will increase the provincial minimum wage by 35 cents, raising the hourly rate from $17.60 to $17.95 effective October 1, 2026. This annual adjustment is tied to the Ontario Consumer Price Index, which currently stands at 1.9 per cent.

Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development David Piccini stated the increase aims to support families and provide businesses with stability and predictability. This provincial move follows a federal minimum wage increase implemented by the Treasury Board of Canada, which raised the federal rate from $17.75 to $18.15 per hour on April 1.

Despite the adjustment, the Ontario Living Wage Network reports that the actual living wage for all regions in the province exceeds $21 per hour, with the rate reaching $27.20 in the Greater Toronto Area.