Federal minimum wage rising April 1

Many Canadians will have a bit more money in their pockets starting next month.

The minimum wage in federally regulated sectors will increase from $16.65 to $17.30 per hour on April 1.

The change reflects an increase of about 3.9% from the previous rate. In 2023, the inflation rate was 3.9%.

Every April 1, the federal minimum wage is adjusted based on Canada’s Consumer Price Index (previous calendar year), after 2021 changes to the Canada Labour Code established a federal minimum wage of $15 per hour rising with inflation.

In April 2023, the federal minimum wage jumped to $16.65 per hour from the previous $15.55 rate.

An estimated 26,000 Canadians who earn less than the upcoming rate will be affected, the government said.

The change in pay rate affects those working in air transportation, banks and post services, among others. The full list of federally regulated industries and workplaces is available on the federal government’s website.

Which province or territory in Canada has the highest minimum wage?

At the start of 2024, Nunavut upped its minimum pay rate to $19 per hour – the highest minimum wage in all of Canada.

British Columbia, meanwhile, will raise its minimum wage from $16.75 to $17.40 per hour starting June 1, 2024. Also, Yukon’s base salary will jump to $17.59 per hour from the current hourly rate of $16.77 on April 1, 2024.

Federally regulated workers in these parts of Canada are entitled to their respective province’s or territory’s minimum wage rate, noted both the Toronto Star and CTV News.

Other parts of Canada have lower minimum wage rates than the federal pay, with Saskatchewan having the lowest at $14.00 per hour, according to the federal government.