On October 1, 2015, the general minimum wage rate in Ontario will increase to C$11.25 per hour from C$11 per hour. Minimum wage rates for students, liquor servers, homeworkers and hunting/fishing guides will also increase on that day.

This increase is due to recent amendments to the Ontario Employment Standards Act, 2000 that link minimum wage rates to inflation. For additional information regarding this and several other key amendments, see our December 2014 Blakes Bulletin: New Obligations for Ontario Employers with Stronger Workplaces for a Stronger Economy Act, 2014.

Each year, the government will calculate the necessary minimum wage adjustment based on the Consumer Price Index in Ontario. If the calculation results in an increase to the minimum wage, such increase will be announced on or before April 1 and come into effect on October 1 of the same year. If the calculation results in a decrease to the minimum wage, no adjustment will be made.