[Canada] 5 provinces to raise minimum wage rates in October

Next month, a wave of minimum wage increases is coming to Canadian provinces, with five hiking their rate from October 1, 2026, HR Reporter reports.

Manitoba, Nova Scotia, Saskatchewan, Ontario and Prince Edward Island will all see their minimum wages rise. HR and payroll professionals have been advised to confirm updated pay rates, contracts and job postings before the deadline to remain compliant with provincial employment standards legislation.

Manitoba's hourly minimum wage will reportedly increase 40 cents to $16.40 on October 1, up from $16.00. The increase reflects the province's 2025 inflation rate, rounded up to the nearest five cents, and is set annually under the Employment Standards Code.

Nova Scotia's rate is rising for the second time this year, from $16.75 to $17.00 on October 1, after a unanimous recommendation from the province's Minimum Wage Review Committee. 

Nolan Young - Nova Scotia's Minister of Labour, Skills and Immigration - said, "These changes reflect a balanced, responsible approach that helps workers keep more money in their pockets while supporting predictability for employers." 

Saskatchewan's hourly minimum wage will go up to $15.70 per hour on October 1. The rate is calculated under a formula that weighs the Consumer Price Index (CPI) and the province's average hourly wage equally.

Ken Cheveldayoff - Minister of Labour Relations and Workplace Safety - said, "We have tried to balance the need for an increase to the minimum wage with ensuring employers are able to continue to build strong businesses." 

In Ontario, according to its Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development, the general minimum wage will increase from $17.60 to $17.95 per hour on October 1. The move will give the province the second-highest rate in Canada. 

The change is reportedly tied to a 1.9 per cent rise in Ontario's CPI and is expected to benefit more than 700,000 workers.

Prince Edward Island's minimum wage is scheduled to rise to $17.30 on October 1, and to $17.60 on April 1, 2027, becoming the highest confirmed rate in Atlantic Canada.

Its Employment Standards Board is separately reviewing future minimum wage rates and accepting written public submissions until October 30, 2026.

Under Prince Edward Island's Employment Standards Act, the Employment Standards Board conducts an annual review of the minimum wage. It recommends future rates to government, based on economic conditions and input from the public and stakeholders. 

This is reportedly separate from and in addition to the increases already scheduled for the province on October 1, 2026, and April 1, 2027.

Source: HR Reporter

(Quotes via original reporting)

Next month, a wave of minimum wage increases is coming to Canadian provinces, with five hiking their rate from October 1, 2026, HR Reporter reports.

Manitoba, Nova Scotia, Saskatchewan, Ontario and Prince Edward Island will all see their minimum wages rise. HR and payroll professionals have been advised to confirm updated pay rates, contracts and job postings before the deadline to remain compliant with provincial employment standards legislation.

Manitoba's hourly minimum wage will reportedly increase 40 cents to $16.40 on October 1, up from $16.00. The increase reflects the province's 2025 inflation rate, rounded up to the nearest five cents, and is set annually under the Employment Standards Code.

Nova Scotia's rate is rising for the second time this year, from $16.75 to $17.00 on October 1, after a unanimous recommendation from the province's Minimum Wage Review Committee. 

Nolan Young - Nova Scotia's Minister of Labour, Skills and Immigration - said, "These changes reflect a balanced, responsible approach that helps workers keep more money in their pockets while supporting predictability for employers." 

Saskatchewan's hourly minimum wage will go up to $15.70 per hour on October 1. The rate is calculated under a formula that weighs the Consumer Price Index (CPI) and the province's average hourly wage equally.

Ken Cheveldayoff - Minister of Labour Relations and Workplace Safety - said, "We have tried to balance the need for an increase to the minimum wage with ensuring employers are able to continue to build strong businesses." 

In Ontario, according to its Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development, the general minimum wage will increase from $17.60 to $17.95 per hour on October 1. The move will give the province the second-highest rate in Canada. 

The change is reportedly tied to a 1.9 per cent rise in Ontario's CPI and is expected to benefit more than 700,000 workers.

Prince Edward Island's minimum wage is scheduled to rise to $17.30 on October 1, and to $17.60 on April 1, 2027, becoming the highest confirmed rate in Atlantic Canada.

Its Employment Standards Board is separately reviewing future minimum wage rates and accepting written public submissions until October 30, 2026.

Under Prince Edward Island's Employment Standards Act, the Employment Standards Board conducts an annual review of the minimum wage. It recommends future rates to government, based on economic conditions and input from the public and stakeholders. 

This is reportedly separate from and in addition to the increases already scheduled for the province on October 1, 2026, and April 1, 2027.

Source: HR Reporter

(Quotes via original reporting)