Ontario is set to raise its minimum wage to $17.95 per hour starting October 1, 2026, an increase from the current $17.60 per hour. The change will affect more than 700,000 workers across the province and will give Ontario the second-highest minimum wage rate in Canada.
The increase is based on Ontario’s Consumer Price Index, which increased by 1.9 per cent between 2025 and 2026. The province uses this yearly adjustment to help wages keep up with the cost of living while also giving businesses a more predictable schedule for changes.
Labour Minister David Piccini said the wage increase is meant to support both workers and the economy. “Ontario workers are the engine of this province,” he said, adding that raising the minimum wage helps put more money into workers’ pockets while also helping businesses plan during uncertain economic times.
For someone working full-time at minimum wage, about 40 hours a week, the increase would mean earning roughly $728 more each year.
The provincial government says the wage boost is part of a larger effort to support workers and strengthen the economy. This includes ongoing investments in skills training, workplace protections, and support for key industries across Ontario.
Officials say the goal is to find a balance between fair wages and economic growth, especially as global economic uncertainty continues to affect both workers and businesses.
