Ontario to Increase Minimum Wage, Effective October 1, 2026

April 2, 2026

On October 1, 2026, the minimum wage in Ontario will be increasing from $17.60 to $17.95 per hour, representing an approximately 2% increase. This follows a previous increase from $17.20 to $17.60 per hour, effective October 1, 2025.

Ontario’s new minimum wage will remain the second highest of all provinces in the country after British Columbia’s planned increase from $17.85 to $18.25 per hour, effective June 1, 2026.

If you have any questions about this topic, or any questions relating to workplace law generally, please do not hesitate to contact a Mathews Dinsdale lawyer.

The author gratefully acknowledges the assistance of Angela Shi, an Articling Student in the firm’s Toronto office.

Expertise: Employment Standards, Employment law

Tags: Minimum wage, Ontario, Wage increase, Employment Law

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