Minimum Wage Increase in Ontario: Here’s a 17-Year Recap

On October 1, 2026, the minimum wage in Ontario increased to $17.95 per hour from $17.60 per hour. The special minimum wages for homeworkers, students under 18, and hunting, fishing, and wilderness guides were also raised.

This 1.9% annualized adjustment is based on the Ontario Consumer Price Index (CPI) and reflects the province’s commitment to supporting workers amid rising living costs.

Does the $17.95 minimum wage apply to all jobs in Ontario?

No. Besides the general minimum wage, there is a different minimum wage for students, hunting and fishing guides, homeworkers, and wilderness guides.

The specialized minimum wage also changed on October 1, 2026. The new rates are:

• Student minimum wage: $16.90 per hour from $16.60 per hour
• Hunting and fishing and wilderness guides minimum wage:  $89.75 (For working less than five consecutive hours in a day) from $88.05.

$179.50  from $176.15 (For working five or more hours in a day whether or not the hours are consecutive)

• Homeworkers wage: $19.70 per hour from $19.35 per hour

What are employers expected to do?

Employers in Ontario should pay their minimum wage workers the increased general ($17.95 per hour) and specialized minimum wages from October 1, 2026.

How has the Ontario minimum wage progressed over the years?

If we take a look at the last 17 years, the increase in hourly pay had been a gradual progression till 2017. Below is an outline of the minimum wage progress over the last 17 years.

*The scheduled minimum wage increase was cancelled in 2019.

Ontario student minimum wage rate

Student minimum wage is a rate that applies to students under the age of 18, who work 28 hours a week or less when school is in session. This rate also applies to students who work during school breaks or over the summer holidays.

Students who work more than 28 hours a week when school is in session are entitled to the general minimum wage.

Students and the three-hour rule

The ESA states that employers are required to pay employees for at least three hours when they call an employee in to work, even if they do not work the full three hours. This is known as the three-hour rule. Employers should know that this rule applies to student minimum wage workers as well as general minimum wage workers.

Vacations, public holiday pay, and student workers

In most cases, student minimum wage workers are entitled to the same vacation and public holiday pay as regular minimum wage workers. Full-time and part-time student workers are entitled to take the nine public stat holidays in Ontario off with public holiday pay. Student minimum wage workers also are entitled to vacation pay and vacation time.

Do you have questions about the recent minimum wage increase?

Our experts can help you with any questions related to employee pay or provide any HR, health and safety, or employment advice you may need.

As a trusted HR and health & safety consulting company, Peninsula serves over 6,500 small businesses across Canada. Peninsula’s clients receive ongoing updates of their workplace documentation and policies as legislation changes. They also benefit from 24/7 employer HR advice and are supported by legal assistance.

To learn more about how our services can benefit your business, call an expert today at 1 (833) 247-3652