Stacks of Canadian $50 bills. The new minimum wage rates in Canada in 2025 aim to support workers facing higher living costs.
Starting April 1, 2025, many workers across Canada will get a pay raise. The federal minimum wage and the minimum wages in four provinces are set to go up. These changes are meant to help people keep up with inflation (the rising cost of living) and ensure wages remain fair.
In this article, we break down the new minimum wage in Canada for 2025, including who is affected, which industries are covered, and the specific increases in each province.
We also include a handy table of all current and new rates by region, and highlight which area now has the highest wage. By the end, you’ll have a clear understanding of what’s changing and how it might affect you.
Federal Minimum Wage Rises to $17.75 (April 1, 2025)
On April 1, 2025, the federal minimum wage in Canada will increase from $17.30 to $17.75 per hour.This 45-cent boost is tied to inflation, as measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI). In practical terms, it means over 26,000 workers under federal jurisdiction will get a raise. These are workers in federally regulated private sectors – industries that the federal government oversees. Some examples of these industries include
- Banking
- Postal and courier services
- Interprovincial transportation (airlines, railways, trucking and buses, shipping and ferries)
One important point: if a province or territory has a higher minimum wage than the federal rate, workers get the higher of the two rates. In other words, the federal $17.75 is a floor, but some regions have set their own higher minimum wage. In those cases, the higher provincial wage will apply instead of the federal wage.
The federal minimum wage is reviewed and adjusted every year on April 1 as part of an annual inflation-indexed schedule. For example, last year (2024) the federal rate went up from $16.65 to $17.30 (a 65-cent increase).
The new increase to $17.75 on April 1, 2025 continues that regular adjustment to keep up with the cost of living. The goal is to ensure that as prices go up over time, the minimum wage in Canada keeps pace so that workers aren’t left behind.
Provincial Minimum Wage Increases on April 1, 2025
Along with the federal hike, four provinces will also raise their minimum wage on April 1, 2025. These provinces are Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and Labrador, New Brunswick, and Yukon. Below are the details for each of these regions, including the current rate and the new rate taking effect, plus a brief explanation of the change. (If a province isn’t listed here, it is not changing on April 1, 2025 – we will cover other provinces in the summary table later.)
Nova Scotia – New Minimum Wage $15.65/hour
- Current Rate: $15.30 per hour
- New Rate: $15.65 per hour (effective April 1, 2025)
- Increase: 35 cents
Nova Scotia adjusts its minimum wage in line with inflation, with modest increases each year. This 35-cent raise (from $15.30 to $15.65) is meant to help workers keep up with rising living costs in the province
Newfoundland and Labrador – New Minimum Wage $16.00/hour
- Current Rate: $15.60 per hour
- New Rate: $16.00 per hour (effective April 1, 2025)
- Increase: 40 cents
Newfoundland and Labrador’s minimum wage will go up by 40 cents. This is part of the province’s ongoing plan to ensure wages grow steadily over time. The aim is to let workers see a reliable boost in pay each year, keeping up with inflation.
New Brunswick – New Minimum Wage $15.65/hour
- Current Rate: $15.30 per hour
- New Rate: $15.65 per hour (effective April 1, 2025)
- Increase: 35 cents
New Brunswick also ties its wage increases to the inflation rate (CPI). The 35-cent increase to $15.65 helps keep New Brunswick’s minimum wage in step with the province’s cost of living. This ensures that as prices go up, workers earning minimum wage aren’t falling too far behind.
Yukon – New Minimum Wage $17.94/hour
- Current Rate: $17.59 per hour
- New Rate: $17.94 per hour (effective April 1, 2025)
- Increase: 35 cents
Yukon’s 35-cent hike is also based on inflation data. This raise brings Yukon’s minimum wage even closer to the highest in Canada. (Yukon already had one of the top minimum wage rates in the country, and with $17.94 per hour it remains near the very top.) Yukon also continues to offer overtime pay at 1.5 times the normal rate for eligible hours, as before.
Why do these increases matter? In general, all of these provincial changes – like the federal one – are aimed at helping workers better afford their day-to-day expenses. They are not just numbers on paper, but real improvements that can make it a little easier to pay for things like groceries, housing, and other bills. It’s part of a broader effort across Canada to provide fair wages as prices increase. Next, let’s look at the minimum wage rates across all provinces and territories in 2025 to see where things stand.
Minimum Wage in Canada: 2025 Rates by Province and Territory
The table below shows the current minimum wage in each province or territory, and the new minimum wage if a change has been announced. All changes listed here are the latest known as of 2025. (If a region is not scheduled for an increase on April 1, 2025, the “New Minimum Wage” is marked as TBD – to be determined – meaning no new rate is set yet.) Keep in mind that some provinces adjust their rates at different times of the year (for example, British Columbia in June, Ontario in October).
Note: The federal minimum wage shown in the table applies to workplaces regulated by the federal government (as discussed earlier). Provincial/territorial minimum wages apply to most other jobs within those regions. Employees always receive whichever rate is higher between the federal and their province/territory’s rate.
As of these changes, every province in Canada now has a general minimum wage of at least $15.00 per hour. This is a notable milestone – a few years ago, some provinces were below $15, but now $15 or more has become the standard across the country.
Nunavut Has the Highest Minimum Wage in Canada
With the latest updates, Nunavut continues to have the highest minimum wage in Canada at $19.00 per hour.
This is the top rate among all provinces and territories. The next highest is Yukon at $17.94 per hour, which, as noted, just increased on April 1, 2025.
Following close behind is the federal minimum wage of $17.75, which applies across all of Canada in federally regulated jobs.
For comparison, some other regions will also see increases later in 2025: British Columbia is set to raise its minimum wage to $17.85 on June 1, 2025, and Ontario plans to increase its rate to $17.70 on October 1, 2025.
Even after those raises, Nunavut’s $19.00 will remain the highest in the country. This reflects the higher cost of living in Canada’s far north, which is one reason Nunavut’s wage is set above the rest.
Final Thoughts – Stay Informed and Share the News
Changes in the minimum wage can have a big impact on workers and businesses. The April 1, 2025 increases – federally and in several provinces – are designed to help workers better cope with inflation and make ends meet. It’s good news for many low-income earners, as it means a bit more money in each paycheck to cover necessities.
We hope this summary of the new minimum wage in Canada has been clear and helpful. If you found this information useful, feel free to share it with friends, coworkers, or employers who might benefit from knowing about these updates. And remember to stay updated on future changes – many provinces adjust their minimum wage every year (often tied to inflation), so checking each year can keep you informed of your rights or obligations.
With all provinces and territories now at $15/hour or more, and ongoing adjustments in place, Canada is continuing to move toward higher and fairer wages for everyone. Keep an eye out for the next scheduled increases (like in B.C. and Ontario later in 2025), and we will continue to update you on any new developments. Here’s to a fair wage for workers across all of Canada!