Minimum Wage Increase in Ontario: Here’s a 15-Year Recap

The minimum wage in Ontario is $16.55 per hour starting October 1, 2023. The special minimum wages for homeworkers, students under 18, and hunting, fishing and wilderness guides also went up.

Effective October 1, 2024, the minimum wage will be increased to $17.20 per hour from $16.55 per hour. This 3.9 per cent annualized wage increase is based on the Ontario Consumer Price Index (CPI) and will bring Ontario’s minimum wage to the second highest in Canada.

How has the minimum wage in Ontario progressed over the years?

If we take a look at the last 15 years, the increase in hourly pay had been a gradual progression till 2017. The rate went from $8.00 in 2007, $8.75 in 2008, $9.50 in 2009, $10.25 from 2010 to 2013, $11.00 in 2014, $11.25 in 2015, 11.40 in 2016; $11.60 in 2017. It changed to $14.00 in 2018 and was frozen for the next two years. It increased to $14.25 in 2020, $14.35 in 2021, $15 in January 2022, $15.50 in October 2022; $16.55 in October 2023.

What happened to the scheduled minimum wage increase to $15 from January 1, 2019?

The Liberal government’s Bill 148 was repealed when the Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario came to power in 2018. Through Bill 47, Making Ontario Open for Business Act, the new government reversed some changes the Ontario Liberal Party had made to Ontario’s employment laws.

Bill 47 cancelled the scheduled minimum wage increase.

Where does this take us in 2023?

As of October 1, 2023, the minimum wage rates per hour will be as follows:

General minimum wage: $16.55 per hour

Student minimum wage: $15.60 per hour

Homeworkers wage: $18.20 per hour

Hunting, fishing, & wilderness guides minimum wage:  $82.85 per day (less than five consecutive hours in a day); $165.75 per day (five or more hours in a day, whether or not the hours are consecutive)

Ontario minimum wage changes

The minimum wage rates may increase on October 1 every year. The new rates, applicable from October 1, would be announced on or before April 1 of every year.

In case a change to the minimum wage rate happens halfway through an employee’s pay period, their pay period will be treated as if it were two separate pay periods. The employee will be entitled to at least the minimum wage applicable in each of the periods.

Do you have questions about the recent minimum wage increase?

Our experts can help you with any questions related to employee pay or provide any HR, health and safety or employment advice you may need.

As a trusted HR and health & safety consulting company, Peninsula serves over 6,500 small businesses across Canada. Peninsula’s clients receive ongoing updates of their workplace documentation and policies as legislation changes. They also benefit from 24/7 employer HR advice and are supported by legal assistance.

To learn more about how our services can benefit your business, call an expert today at 1 (833) 247-3652