The Canadian dollar coin, the Loonie, is displayed on Friday, Jan. 30, 2015, in Montreal. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Paul Chiasson

By The Canadian Press

Five Canadian provinces boost their minimum wage, Alberta now lowest

Oct 1, 2025 | 2:00 AM

Five provinces are increasing their minimum wage today to support workers amid affordability issues.

The hikes will apply to Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island.

The provinces have tied their increases to Canada’s steadily growing consumer price index, which is an indicator of inflation.

Ontario’s minimum wage is now $17.60 per hour, Nova Scotia’s and Prince Edward Island’s are $16.50 an hour, Manitoba’s is $16 per hour and Saskatchewan’s is $15.35 an hour.

Alberta is the only province that has not boosted its minimum wage, with its $15-per-hour rate now the lowest in Canada.

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The office of Joseph Schow, Alberta’s Minister of Jobs, Economy, Trade and Immigration, provided the following statement to Pattison Media:

“The majority of minimum wage earners are 24 years old or younger, meaning most are in their first job or early stages of entering the workforce.

“The fact is, Alberta remains one of the most affordable places to call home with lower cost of living, more affordable housing options, along with lower taxes that keep more money in the pockets of Albertans. When it comes to minimum wage, we are balancing workforce needs while also ensuring businesses are not forced to raise costs or be unable to pay their employees, putting entry-level jobs at risk.”

“On background:

• According to the 2024 Alberta Minimum Wage Profile, demographics of minimum wage earners include:
  • 5.2 per cent of employees in Alberta earn minimum wage;
  • 56.6 per cent are 15-24 years old (33.3 per cent are 15-19, 23.3 per cent are 20-24);
  • 64 per cent are part-time and 36 per cent are full-time;
  • 48.4 per cent of all minimum wage earners had less than one year of job tenure; and
  • The majority of minimum wage earners work in the retail trade (33.9 per cent) and accommodation and food services industries (27.6 per cent).”

British Columbia, Quebec, New Brunswick and Newfoundland and Labrador raised their minimum wage earlier this year.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 1, 2025.

The Canadian Press