Starting on October 1, 2025, Ontario’s general minimum wage is now $17.60 per hour. This represents an increase of 40 cents per hour, up from $17.20. This applies to most hourly employees across industries. This increase is based on the province’s Consumer Price Index (CPI).
This brings Ontario’s general minimum wage to the second highest provincial rate, behind British Columbia, and fourth highest overall behind Nunavut, Yukon and British Columbia.
Special Minimum Wage Categories
Ontario has special wage categories for certain divisions of employees which differ from the general minimum wage discussed above. This includes:
- Student minimum wage → Increasing to $16.60 from $16.20. This applies to students who are under the age of 18 and who work up to 28 hours per week during the school year, or any hours during a school break (such as summer holidays or Christmas break).
- Homeworker minimum wage → Increasing to $19.35 from $18.90. This applies to employees who do paid work from their homes. This covers roles that could range from people who may work from home answering calls for a call centre, acts as a freelance designer, or acts as a virtual assistant, and so on.
- Outdoor guides → Minimum wage for hunting, fishing and wilderness guides is also increasing. This minimum wage is based on blocks of time, rather than per hour. For less than 5 consecutive hours, the minimum wage is increasing to $88.05 per day, up from $86.00. For 5 or more hours, it is increasing to $175.15 per day, up from $172.05.
Takeaway for Employers
Minimum wage rates are enforced by the Employment Standards Act, 2000 (“ESA”). Failure to comply with the ESA could result in fines, compliance orders, and/or investigations by the Ministry of Labour. Accordingly, employers should ensure that the new minimum wage standards are incorporated immediately. Some suggestions include:
- Determining which of your employees are entitled to minimum wage under the ESA
- Adjusting job postings and/or offers to reflect the new minimum wage
- Adjusting employment contracts to reflect the new minimum wage
- Ensuring that all hourly wages meet or exceed the new rates in all payroll systems
- Ensuring that the special minimum wage categories are accounted for, particularly the homeworker minimum wage which is higher than the general minimum wage (see above)
Written by: Hayley Smith