Statutory minimum wage in Ontario (2026)
Last reviewed: 9 October 2026
In short: Ontario has a general minimum wage of $17.95 per hour from 1 October 2026. Students under 18 may be paid $16.90 per hour within set limits, and liquor servers get the general rate. Most employees get 1.5 times their regular rate after 44 hours a week.
| Rule | What applies |
|---|---|
| National statutory minimum wageEmployees | Yes [1] |
| Current adult minimum wage (gross)Employees | 17.95 CAD per hour [1] |
| Age bands, reduced rates and exclusionsEmployees | Students under 18 who work 28 hours a week or less during the school year, or during school breaks and summer holidays, may be paid $16.90 per hour. Homeworkers must be paid $19.70 per hour, including students of any age. Hunting, fishing and wilderness guides: $89.75 for under five consecutive hours a day, $179.50 for five or more hours. [1] |
| Next scheduled changeEmployees | 1 October 2027 [1] |
| Amount from next change (gross)Employees | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Minimum cash wage for tipped workersEmployees | Liquor servers are entitled to the general minimum wage ($17.95 per hour from 1 October 2026); the rate chart has no separate tipped or liquor server rate. [1] |
| Overtime payEmployees | For most employees, hours after 44 in a work week must be paid at 1.5 times the regular rate. There is no daily overtime unless a contract or collective agreement provides it. Some jobs are exempt or have other thresholds. [2] |
Notes
- Gross hourly rate in Canadian dollars, for 1 October 2026 to 30 September 2027.
- The rate is indexed annually to the Ontario consumer price index; any change takes effect on 1 October and is published on or before 1 April. The date applies if the rate changes.
Sources
- Government of Ontario: Minimum wage | Your guide to the Employment Standards Act | ontario.ca (consulted 9 October 2026) · all sources
- Government of Ontario: Overtime pay | Your guide to the Employment Standards Act | ontario.ca (consulted 10 October 2026) · all sources
Ontario and neighbouring provinces and territories
| Province or territory | National statutory minimum wage | Current adult minimum wage (gross) | Age bands, reduced rates and exclusions | Next scheduled change | Amount from next change (gross) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ontario | Yes | $17.95 per hour | Students under 18: $16.90; homeworkers $19.70 | 1 October 2027 | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Manitoba | Yes | $16.40 per hour | No age-based rate: same for all employees | ⚠ Not yet verified | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Quebec | Yes | $16.60 per hour | No age-based rate; pickers paid per kg | ⚠ Not yet verified | ⚠ Not yet verified |
More rules in Ontario
- CannabisPossession for personal use: Legal within limits (19+) · Growing at home: Yes, up to 4 plants per home
- Car speed limitsBuilt-up areas: 50 km/h · Outside built-up areas (single carriageway): 80 km/h
- Minimum age for a car driving licenceEarliest age to drive a car supervised: 16, with a supervising driver
- E-bikes and speed pedelecsLegal class: Power-assisted bicycle · Minimum age: 16 years
- Using a mobile phone while drivingHolding a phone while driving banned: Banned · Hands-free use: Hands-free, touch limited
- Seat belts and child seatsSeat belt compulsory in front seats: Yes · Seat belt compulsory in rear seats: Yes
- Tobacco and nicotine age limitsMinimum age to buy tobacco: 19 · Minimum age to buy e-cigarettes: 19
- Drink-driving limitsBlood alcohol limit for ordinary drivers: 0.05% (7-day suspension) · Lower limit for novice or young drivers: Zero if 21 or under or G1/G2/M1/M2
Related pages
General information, not legal advice. Rules change: check the official source before you fly or ride.