Here's what you need to know about Ontario's minimum wage increase on Oct. 1
The lowest-paid workers in Ottawa and eastern Ontario will receive a $1.05 an hour pay bump this weekend.
Ontario's minimum wage will increase from $15.50 to $16.55 an hour starting on Oct. 1. The student minimum wage will increase $1 an hour to $15.60.
The Ontario government says the 6.8 per cent increase in the minimum wage means up to $2,200 more in workers' pockets every year.
- The information you need to know, sent directly to you: Download the CTV News App
- Sign up now for our nightly CTV News Ottawa newsletter
"Starting Sunday, October 1, Ontario’s minimum wage will increase from $15.50 to $16.55 per hour, helping more than 900,000 hard-working men and women across our province earn more take-home pay for themselves and their families," David Piccini, Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development, said in a statement.
"Our government is continuing to deliver steady and predictable annual increases, helping families offset the rising cost of living while also providing certainty to businesses by announcing this increase six months in advance. Minimum wage jobs should be for the start of a worker’s career, not the end."
The minimum wage has increased from $14.25 per hour to $16.55 an hour since 2020.
Here is a look at the new minimum wage rates as of Oct. 1.
General minimum wage
The general minimum wage increases to $16.55 per hour.
Liquor servers receive the same minimum wage of $16.55 an hour, after the Ontario government eliminated the special rate for liquor servers in 2022.
Student minimum wage
The student minimum wage increases from $14.60 an hour to $15.60 an hour, starting Oct. 1.
The student minimum wage rate applies to students under the age of 18 who work 28 hours a week or less when school is in session or work during a school break or summer holidays.
Work from home
The minimum wage for people working from home in Ontario increases from $17.05 an hour to $18.20 an hour.
The Ontario government says the homeworkers minimum wage is for employees who do paid work in their own homes.
"For example, they may sew clothes for a clothing manufacturer, answer telephone calls for a call centre, or write software for a high-tech company."
Minimum wage rates by province
- Ontario - $16.55 an hour (as of Oct. 1)
- Quebec - $15.25 an hour
- British Columbia - $16.75 an hour
- Alberta - $15 an hour
- Saskatchewan - $14 an hour (As of Oct. 1)
- Manitoba - $15.30 an hour (as of Oct. 1)
- New Brunswick - $14.75 an hour
- Nova Scotia - $15 an hour (as of Oct. 1)
- Prince Edward Island - $15 an hour (as of Oct. 1)
- Newfoundland and Labrador - $15 an hour (as of Oct. 1)
- Yukon - $16.77 an hour
- Northwest Territories - $16.05 an hour
- Nunavut - $16 an hour
Shopping Trends
The Shopping Trends team is independent of the journalists at CTV News. We may earn a commission when you use our links to shop. Read about us.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Thousands of structures destroyed in L.A. County's most destructive fire
A series of wildfires tore through densely populated parts of the Los Angeles, Calif. area. Five people have been reported dead. U.S. Gov. Gavin Newsom said thousands of resources have been deployed to contain the fires.
Is the Hollywood sign on fire?
As fires scorch Los Angeles, fake images and videos of a burning Hollywood sign have circulated on social media.
U.S. Supreme Court rejects Trump's bid to delay sentencing in his New York hush money case
A sharply divided U.S. Supreme Court on Thursday rejected president-elect Donald Trump's final bid to put his New York hush-money case on hold, clearing the way for him to be sentenced for felony crimes days before he returns to the presidency.
Ex-Trump adviser says Canada in 'difficult position' amid tariff threat, Trudeau resignation
In the face of a potential tariff war, U.S. president-elect Donald Trump's former national security adviser John Bolton says 'Canada is in a difficult position' in part due to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's resignation and a looming general election.
PM Trudeau says he thinks Trump is using talk of Canada becoming 51st state to distract from tariff impact
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says he thinks U.S. president-elect Donald Trump is drumming up drama on Canadian statehood to detract from tariff talks.
Canadian travellers now require an ETA to enter U.K. Here's what to know
Starting Jan. 8, Canadians visiting the U.K. for short trips will need to secure an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) before boarding their flight, according to regulations set out by the U.K. government.
'True when I said it, true today': former Canadian PM Harper pushes back against Trump on social media
Former prime minister Stephen Harper doesn’t find U.S. president-elect Donald Trump’s jibes about Canada becoming the 51st U.S. state very amusing.
Poilievre says the next Canadian election will be about the carbon price
Pierre Poilievre returned to Ottawa on Thursday after the holidays with a familiar demand for Justin Trudeau: call a carbon-tax election.
More than 150 students sick at University of Guelph, says public health
More than 150 cases of gastroenteritis have been reported at the University of Guelph.
Atlantic
-
Suspicious death of woman in Bible Hill ruled a homicide: N.S. RCMP
The RCMP is treating the suspicious death of a woman in Bible Hill, N.S., last week as a homicide.
-
5th woman killed by intimate partner violence in N.S. in 3 months
The RCMP in Nova Scotia says two suspicious deaths in Mahone Bay, N.S., over the weekend were the result of intimate partner violence.
-
Maritimers flee L.A. homes as fires continue to rage
Several Maritimers have fled their homes in Los Angeles amid the historic fires.
Toronto
-
'Not going to happen': Markham jewelry store owner fights off robbers with broomstick
When three masked individuals entered Jewellery Forever and started smashing a display case, Jerry Sorani knew he had to defend the store he has owned for the last 16 years. So, he grabbed a nearby broomstick.
-
Ontario ready to deploy more than 150 firefighters to California, Ford calls situation 'devastating'
More than 150 Ontario firefighters are standing by and ready to be deployed to California as the state battles unprecedented wildfires, which have displaced more than 100,000 residents and left five people dead.
-
Toronto police investigating parental abduction, three-year-old boy believed to be in India
A parental abduction investigation is underway after a father allegedly failed to return to Canada with his three-year-old son after a trip to India, Toronto police say.
Montreal
-
Liberal leadership contender Frank Baylis is a Montrealer who says he will stand up to Trump
Meet the Montrealer who wants to replace Justin Trudeau as the new leader of the Liberal Party of Canada.
-
Quebec’s year-long surgery waitlist drops to pandemic-era low, but challenges remain
The number of Quebec patients waiting more than one year for surgery has dropped to 8,824 – the lowest number since the early days of the pandemic – according to the province’s ministry of health.
-
Former clown admits to sexually assaulting more victims
A former clown, who worked at children’s parties, has admitted in Quebec Superior Court to having more sexual assault victims.
Northern Ontario
-
Alta. man charged and released twice in one night for violence at northern Ont. hotel
Last weekend, an Alberta man was arrested and released for intimate partner violence at a northern Ontario hotel just hours after being charged and released for assaulting a teen with a weapon at the same location.
-
Former Sudbury, Ont., police officer found guilty of 2007 sexual assault
Wayne Foster, a former police officer with the Greater Sudbury Police Service, has been found guilty of sexual assault in connection with an incident Aug. 24, 2007.
-
Superbug outbreak declared at Sault Area Hospital
An outbreak has been declared in a medical unit at the Sault Area Hospital due to a superbug.
Windsor
-
Sentencing date set for Windsor man convicted of careless driving in fatal Retrofest collision
A sentencing date has been set for a Windsor man convicted of careless driving in a fatal Retrofest collision.
-
Teen charged with assault after allegedly spraying bear mace
An 18-year-old man has been charged with assault after he allegedly bear maced someone during an argument in east Windsor.
-
Windsor on par with years-long wait for social housing in the province
The City of Windsor says wait times for social housing align with the provincial average outlined in a new report showing more than 80,000 people experienced homelessness in Ontario in 2024.
London
-
'My mother attacked me': A London manslaughter trial hears a 911 call from the accused
Testimony at the manslaughter trial of Barbara Cabala, 42, got underway in London Thursday.
-
Londoner charged following head-on collision
One person has been charged by Elgin County OPP after a collision occurred Wednesday morning.
-
Woman suspected in north end assault: LPS
On Sunday, Dec. 22, at roughly 8:20 p.m., a woman leaving a business in the area of Fanshawe Park Road East and North Centre Road was assaulted by an unknown woman.
Kitchener
-
More than 150 students sick at University of Guelph, says public health
More than 150 cases of gastroenteritis have been reported at the University of Guelph.
-
Ontario family describes 'horrific' experience after being stuck in limbo due to delayed WestJet flight
A family trip to Costa Rica quickly turned into a nightmare for an Ontario family, after their WestJet flight to Canada was delayed.
-
Limited shelter space available for men in Waterloo Region
The deep freeze has created a problem for anyone seeking shelter space in Waterloo Region.
Barrie
-
RVH faces surge in patients amid flu season strain with ER wait times exceeding 8 hours
Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre in Barrie is dealing with unprecedented patient volumes, with occupancy levels far exceeding capacity.
-
Snow squalls blanket Clearview Township, keeping crews and residents busy
Unrelenting snow squalls kept residents and road crews in Clearview Township on their toes Thursday, including one CTV News reporter.
-
OPP officer charged with assault expected to plead guilty
A month before what was supposed to be the start of his trial in Huntsville, Const. Scott Anthony, the suspended Bracebridge OPP officer charged with assaulting a man during an arrest in July 2022 in MacTier, is expected to plead guilty, according to his legal counsel.
Winnipeg
-
Another big tax hike is potentially coming for Brandon residents
Brandon homeowners are facing the possibility of a double-digit tax increase in 2025.
-
Winnipeg man charged with sexually assaulting children at daycare: police
Police have charged a man with sexually assaulting two children at an unlicensed daycare in Winnipeg.
-
'A policing trailblazer': Tributes pour in for MFNPS chief believed to have died in house fire
The remains of Manitoba First Nations Police Service’s (MFNPS) leader are believed to have been found following a fire at his home.
Calgary
-
Southeast Calgary business owner charged with sexual assault of young girl in shop
A 63-year-old man has been charged with the sexual assault of a young girl in a southeast Calgary tailor shop.
-
The Confluence undergoes major renovation, exhibits now removed
The Confluence is undergoing a major renovation, the first phase of which began in November.
-
New East Village public washroom, aiming to address past issues, opens alongside new pickleball courts
Residents in Calgary's East Village now have a new space to pick up one of the fastest growing sports in the country.
Edmonton
-
'Elaborate' solar-powered encampment found in Fulton Creek
Edmonton police have dismantled two large encampments in the Fulton Creek area, including one with electricity.
-
Five hurt in Red Deer industrial fire
Five people are in hospital following an explosion Thursday at a Red Deer industrial site.
-
Alberta resources on standby as wildfires devastate southern California
Alberta's premier says the province is preparing to support California fight a series of wildfires tearing through the Los Angeles area.
Regina
-
Above average home sales on 18-month streak in Sask.
According to the Saskatchewan Realtors Association, 2024 was the second-best year on record in terms of home sales in the province.
-
Regina man previously wanted on Canada's Most Wanted list makes first court appearance
Twenty-two-year-old Reshuan Norman Cote stood in the prisoner’s box as he made his very first court appearance for his involvement in a homicide last year.
-
Sask. taxidermy business fined more than $7,000, 144 'wildlife exhibits' seized
What began as a "straightforward" inspection of a Saskatchewan taxidermy business quickly became a complex investigation – ultimately leading to more than $7,000 in fines.
Saskatoon
-
'It feels good': First 28 students from University of Saskatchewan's nursing fast-track program graduate
The first students of a fast-track nursing program at the University of Saskatchewan have graduated. The program aims to address the province's healthcare staffing shortage.
-
Saskatoon restauranteur George Kosmas looks back on a life spent in The Cave
For nearly his entire life, George Kosmas can remember spending days and nights at The Cave.
-
'They are hopeless': Saskatoon family desperate to bring sisters to Canada
Two Saskatoon women are desperately trying to get their loved ones out of Afghanistan, as the Taliban continues to oppress women.
Vancouver
-
'They don't realize it's not marriage. It's slavery': What a B.C. man is doing to free Cambodians trapped by traffickers
Brian McConaghy began his work in Cambodia decades ago, helping the RCMP on investigations to jail to sex predators from B.C. abusing children overseas. Later, his organization, supported by Canadians, built a secure centre in Phnom Penh, where they protect and support those who have been trafficked internationally.
-
'It's pretty wild out there': Canadian living in L.A. describes life near wildfires
The constant smell of smoke is a reminder all over Los Angeles, even in neighbourhoods far from the flames, that the fight against wildfires isn’t over.
-
Respiratory symptoms accounting for one-third of child ER visits: BCCDC
Roughly a third of emergency room visits involving children relate to respiratory symptoms, based on BC Centre for Disease Control data as of last week.
Vancouver Island
-
B.C. driftwood bests global competitors to be crowned 'stick of the year'
When Shawn Anderson isn’t inviting his dog Kai to fetch a stick, he enjoys spinning a staff, or lunging with light sabre. “I’m a big fan of sticks,” he says.
-
Uber Eats app at centre of B.C. distracted driving dispute
Is tapping the screen of a cellphone once enough to warrant a ticket for using an electronic device while driving in B.C.? That's the question a judge had to answer in a recent case.
-
B.C. humanitarian team planning to head back to Ukraine
Oleg Atamnyuk has travelled to Vancouver Island to visit with his wife and two children who are living at the Ukrainian Haven in East Sooke. In a few weeks he will make the return trip home to Ukraine, a country that has been at war for nearly three years.
Kelowna
-
1 hospitalized, residents displaced after Kelowna apartment fire
Firefighters knocked down a blaze on the third floor of a low-rise apartment building near downtown Kelowna Monday afternoon.
-
Lost skiers rescued off B.C. mountain
Search and rescue volunteers in B.C.’s Okanagan successfully reunited two skiers with their family Friday evening.
-
Charges laid after child porn investigation that 'spanned several different countries,' Kelowna RCMP say
Police in Kelowna say an international investigation has led to child pornography charges against a 46-year-old man.
