Five Provinces Raise Minimum Wage, Alberta Now Lowest in Canada
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Key Points
- Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island increased their minimum wage October 1.
- Ontario leads at $17.60 per hour; Alberta remains at $15, now the lowest nationwide.
- Increases tied to inflation through Canada’s Consumer Price Index.
On October 1, five provinces raised their minimum wage to help workers manage rising living costs. Ontario now has the highest among the group at $17.60 an hour, followed by Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island at $16.50, Manitoba at $16, and Saskatchewan at $15.35. These adjustments are linked to the Consumer Price Index to reflect inflation.
Alberta did not follow suit, leaving its minimum wage at $15 per hour, the lowest in the country. Other provinces, including British Columbia, Quebec, New Brunswick, and Newfoundland and Labrador, had already boosted their minimum wages earlier this year.
The coordinated hikes highlight affordability challenges across Canada, as workers struggle with higher food, rent, and daily expenses. Critics argue that while increases are welcome, they may still fall short of meeting the true cost of living in many regions.
