Five Provinces Update Minimum Wages October 1, 2026
Five provinces set new general minimum wages effective October 1, 2026: Ontario $17.95, Manitoba $16.40, Nova Scotia $17.00, Saskatchewan $15.70 and Prince Edward Island $17.30 an hour. Federally regulated employers pay the $18.15 federal minimum, in force since April 1, 2026.
Quick answer
What is the minimum wage increase on October 1, 2026?
Five provinces raised their general minimum wages on October 1, 2026. The hourly rates are Ontario $17.95, Manitoba $16.40, Nova Scotia $17.00, Saskatchewan $15.70, and Prince Edward Island $17.30. Check whether a separate rule applies to your job; federally regulated employees are covered by the $18.15 federal rate effective April 1, 2026, unless their province or territory has a higher minimum.
- Manitoba and Saskatchewan: General rates are $16.40 and $15.70 per hour, respectively, from October 1, 2026.
- Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island: General rates are $17.00 and $17.30 per hour from October 1, 2026; Nova Scotia has separate orders for some work, and Prince Edward Island rises to $17.60 per hour on April 1, 2027.
- What to do: Compare your pay with the rate and employment rule that apply to your job and province; federally regulated employees should compare the federal rate with their provincial or territorial minimum.
Why did Ontario’s minimum wage increase?
Ontario ties its October 1, 2026 minimum wage increase to the Ontario Consumer Price Index for 2026. Ontario’s increase follows this calculation, so the link explains Ontario’s change only.
The new general rate applies from October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027. If your pay statement shows a lower hourly rate for work in that period, compare it with the general rate on the official Ontario page before you raise it with your employer.
Does the federal minimum wage apply to me?
No, not automatically. The federal minimum wage is $18.15 per hour effective April 1, 2026. It applies to employees in federally regulated sectors such as banking, telecommunications, and interprovincial or international transportation. If your employer is not federally regulated, provincial or territorial rules set your minimum.
To check which rule governs your pay, work through these steps:
- Confirm your employer’s sector: Find out whether the business is federally regulated, such as a bank, telecommunications company, or interprovincial or international transport carrier.
- Identify where you usually work: Confirm the province or territory, because its minimum may be higher than the federal rate.
- Compare your pay statement: Check that your hourly rate is at least the higher of the applicable federal and provincial minimums.
For broader context on how these rules fit into employment law, read our employment law guide.
Check the five provincial hourly rates
Each province’s general rate and official page are listed below.
| Province | General minimum wage per hour | Effective date | Official page |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ontario | $17.95 | October 1, 2026 | ontario.ca |
| Manitoba | $16.40 | October 1, 2026 | gov.mb.ca |
| Nova Scotia | $17.00 | October 1, 2026 | novascotia.ca |
| Saskatchewan | $15.70 | October 1, 2026 | Government of Saskatchewan |
| Prince Edward Island | $17.30 | October 1, 2026 | princeedwardisland.ca |
Chart of the table above.
Nova Scotia’s general rate covers most workers, but construction and property maintenance, and logging and forest operations, fall under separate minimum wage orders. Check which order covers your job before you compare your pay to the general rate. For rates in every jurisdiction, see the Canadaever minimum wage tracker.
Verify your pay and the next change
Start by confirming which minimum wage law covers your job, then check your pay statement against the matching rate.
Confirm which law covers your job. Employers in federally regulated sectors, such as banking, telecommunications, and interprovincial or international transportation, pay the federal rate of $18.15 per hour effective April 1, 2026. Most other jobs fall under the rate for the province where you usually work.
Compare your pay statement with the provincial rate. Find your province’s general rate in the table above. Check that your hourly pay is at least that amount for the effective date on your pay statement.
Watch for the next change in the other four provinces. The federal minimum wage table lists no further scheduled change for Ontario, Manitoba, Nova Scotia or Saskatchewan as of October 29, 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum wage in Nova Scotia from October 1, 2026?
Nova Scotia’s general minimum wage is $17.00 per hour effective October 1, 2026. It rose from $16.75 per hour, which applied from April 1, 2026.
What is the minimum wage in Saskatchewan from October 1, 2026?
Saskatchewan’s general minimum wage is $15.70 per hour effective October 1, 2026. That is the lowest general rate among the five provinces that set new rates on that date. Compare your pay statement with this amount for work on or after October 1, 2026.
What is the minimum wage in Prince Edward Island from October 1, 2026?
Prince Edward Island’s minimum wage rises from $17.00 to $17.30 per hour on October 1, 2026.
Does commission or piece-rate pay exempt you from minimum wage?
No, commission and piece-rate pay don’t exempt most workers from minimum wage in Ontario. Ontario’s rules cover employees paid by commission, piece rate, flat rate or salary, as well as hourly workers. Manitoba also applies its minimum wage to employees paid commissions or flat rates, unless they fall outside provincial standards or a listed exclusion.
When does the next provincial minimum wage change after October 1, 2026?
The next change on record is Prince Edward Island’s rise to $17.60 per hour on April 1, 2027. Ontario’s $17.95 rate applies through September 30, 2027, so Ontario’s rate stays the same until then.
Next step: Compare your pay with every province on our minimum wage tracker, and recheck your province’s official page before each pay period.
Sources
- Current and Forthcoming General Minimum Wage Rates in Canada (minwage-salairemin.service.canada.ca)
- Minimum wage | Your guide to the Employment Standards Act (Government of Ontario)
- Employment Standards | Employment Standards | What is Minimum Wage? (gov.mb.ca)
- Minimum wage : NS Labour and Advanced Education, Employment Rights (novascotia.ca)
- Minimum Wage and Reporting for Duty Pay | Payment of Wages, Payroll Administration, Benefits and Time Sheets (Government of Saskatchewan)
- Minimum Wage Review 2026 (Government of Prince Edward Island, September 8, 2026)
