Ontario’s minimum wage is about to go up & here’s what you need to know

Minimum wage earners in Ontario will have some more money in their pocket pretty soon. Starting on October 1, 2021, Ontario’s minimum wage rates will increase for all employees, including students and servers. The wage bump is tied to the provincial Consumer Price Index for 2020 and will remain in place until the end of September 2022.

On the 1st of October, general wages will increase by 10 cents, from $14.25 per hour to $14.35 per hour. Students will get a 10-cent bump as well, from $13.40 to $13.50 per hour. Liquor servers who regularly receive tips and serve liquor to customers will make $12.55 per hour, up from $12.45.

Student wages are given to Ontarians who are younger than 18 and are working 28 hours a week or less during the semester, as well as holidays and summer breaks.

Recent Posts
Chipotle is giving BC & Ontario employees a nice wage bump and opening its first Canadian drive-thru
Canada’s federal election campaign starts today & you’ll get to vote on September 20th

There are other provincial employment categories as well, all of which will be getting a nice boost in their minimum hourly earnings. Homeworkers, a.k.a. those who do paid work inside their homes, will be making $15.80 per hour, up 10 cents from the current rate. Students under 18 who are homeworkers must be paid the homeworkers’ wage, according to the provincial government.

Wilderness, hunting, and fishing guides will be getting the biggest raise, making $71.75 per hour if working less than five consecutive hours in a day, and $143.55 for working more than five hours in a day, consecutive or not.

As of 2020, Ontario’s minimum wage will increase every year in October and the new rates are announced the previous April. The province also breaks down how these new wages affect employees who work less than three hours at once, earn a commission, or are given room and board as part of their job. You can find all the details here.