These Canadian provinces will increase their minimum wage in April 2023
The minimum wage is a fundamental labour standard that ensures the lowest possible wage an employer can pay their staff. Across Canada, all jurisdictions have a general minimum wage rate. This typically applies to most workers and is set as an hourly rate. Of course, some groups of employees, such as students under 18, may have a different minimum wage.
A newly launched Minimum Wage Database provides comprehensive information on current and upcoming general minimum salaries, as well as any special honorariums applicable to specific occupations or groups of workers. In this article, we’ll focus on the general minimum wage rates in all provinces of Canada.
Table of contents
Provinces that will increase their minimum wage in April
According to the database, the following provinces are increasing their general minimum wage on April 1, 2023:
| Province/ Territory | Current Minimum Wage Rate | Forthcoming Minimum Wage Rate 01-Apr-2023 | Forthcoming Minimum Wage Rate 01-Oct-2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manitoba | $13.50 | $14.15 | $15.00 |
| New Brunswick | $13.75 | $14.75 | not provided |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | $13.70 | $14.50 | $15.00 |
| Nova Scotia | $13.60 | $14.50 | $15.00 |
| Yukon | $15.70 | $16.77 | not provided |
Please note that, on April 1, 2023, the federal minimum wage in Canada will also increase from $15.55 to $16.65 per hour. The federal government has rules about paying employees in certain industries, such as transportation, telecommunications, and banking. Workers in these industries should be paid at least the minimum wage set by the federal government. If the province or territory where the worker lives has a higher minimum wage, the employer must pay that higher wage instead.
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Minimum wage in other provinces
In addition to Manitoba, Newfoundland and Labrador and Nova Scotia, the following provinces are forecast to increase their minimum wages after April 1, 2023.
| Province/ Territory | Current Minimum Wage Rate | Forthcoming Minimum Wage Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Alberta | $15.00 | To Be Decided (TBD) |
| British Columbia | $15.65 | To Be Decided (TBD) |
| Northwest Territories | $15.20 | To Be Decided (TBD) |
| Nunavut | $16.00 | To Be Decided (TBD) |
| Ontario | $15.50 | October 1, 2023: unknown |
| Prince Edward Island | $14.50 | October 1, 2023: $15.00 |
| Quebec | $14.25 | May 1, 2023: unknown |
| Saskatchewan | $13.75 | October 1, 2023: $14.00 |
As you can compare in both tables, Nunavut has the highest minimum wage rate in the country at $16 per hour, in effect since April 1, 2020. Moreover, it is expected to increase on April 2023, to $16.77.
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Average weekly earnings by provinces in Canada: 2023 update
The latest Statistics Canada data showed that average weekly earnings rose 3.4% in December 2022 on a year-over-year basis. However, compared to the previous month, it is down from a growth of 4.2% recorded in November. The data, released on February 23, 2023, pointed out that Newfoundland and Labrador (+6.7%, to $1,177) recorded the largest proportional gain (in average weekly earnings) in December. This gain was followed by New Brunswick (+4.6%, to $1,078) and Quebec (+4.5% to $1,130).
| Provinces/Territories | Average weekly earnings in December 2022 |
|---|---|
| Newfoundland and Labrador | $1,176.83 |
| Prince Edward Island | $ 985.86 |
| Nova Scotia | $1,033.77 |
| New Brunswick | $1,077.70 |
| Quebec | $1,129.54 |
| Ontario | $1,197.94 |
| Manitoba | $1,073.01 |
| Saskatchewan | $1,147.21 |
| Alberta | $1,268.07 |
| British Columbia | $1,153.32 |
| Yukon | $1,342.74 |
| Northwest Territories | $1,574.24 |
| Nunavut | $1,588.20 |
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