Five Canadian Provinces See Minimum Wage Hikes, but Critics Say Living Costs Outpace Gains in Ontario

While workers in five provinces are seeing a pay raise this October, critics and local advocacy groups argue that the increases fail to match the real-world pressures of inflation and housing affordability across Canada (Credit: Erik Mclean/Pexels)

Minimum wage increases of 25 to 40 cents took effect across five Canadian provinces on 1 October 2026, reported BayToday, citing The Canadian Press.

Ontario's general minimum wage rose from C$17.60 (£9.38) to C$17.95 (£9.56) an hour. Meanwhile, Prince Edward Island increased its rate to C$17.30 (£9.22), Nova Scotia to C$17.00 (£9.06), Manitoba to C$16.40 (£8.74) and Saskatchewan to C$15.70 (£8.37).