As announced earlier this year, Ontario is raising the general minimum wage from $11 to $11.25 per hour, effective October 1, 2015.
The increase is a result of recent changes to the Employment Standards Act, 2000 and a recommendation from the Minimum Wage Advisory Panel to tie the annual increase to Ontario's Consumer Price Index.
Minimum wage rates for certain jobs and/or employees such as liquor servers, homeworkers, and students are also increasing at the same time.
Increasing the minimum wage in a fair and predictable manner is part of the government's economic plan for Ontario. The four-part plan is building Ontario up by investing in people's talents and skills, building new public infrastructure like roads and transit, creating a dynamic, supportive environment where business thrives and building a secure savings plan so everyone can afford to retire.
Quick Facts
- The primary sectors employing minimum wage earners are accommodation and food, retail trade, and agriculture.
- Minimum wage increases are announced by April 1 each year, and are effective on October 1 of the same year.
- The process for minimum wage adjustments will be reviewed every 5 years.
Kevin Flynn, Minister of Labour: “We have taken the politics out of increases to the minimum wage by tying raises to inflation. This helps some of the province’s most vulnerable workers cope with increases to their cost of living while providing predictability for businesses to plan for payroll changes.”