November 2, 2021
Ontario to raise minimum wage to $15 per hour
The Ontario government announced plans to raise the general minimum wage from $14.35 to $15 per hour, starting January 1, 2022.
Details were shared by Premier Doug Ford on Nov. 2, 2021.“When we asked labour leaders what their priorities were, increasing the minimum wage was at the top of the list," Ford said. "As the cost of living continues to go up, our government is proud to be working for workers, putting more money into their pockets by increasing the minimum wage.”
The government plans to release the 2021 Ontario Economic Outlook and Fiscal Review on November 4.
Read the full announcement
Quick Facts
- A full-time worker making the general minimum wage could see an annual earnings increase of $1,350 in 2022 under the proposed legislation.
- From January-August 2021, there were 763,500 workers at or below the proposed general minimum wage of $15 in Ontario (StatsCan Labour Force Survey, 2021).
- Most minimum wage earners are women and nearly 73 per cent of working 15 to 19-year-olds are at or below the proposed general minimum wage of $15 per hour.
- The industries employing the most minimum wage earners are accommodation and food services, and retail trade.
- Nearly 37 per cent of workers at or below the proposed general minimum wage of $15 per hour are in retail trade and almost 24 per cent are in accommodation and food services.
Additional Resources
- Proposed new minimum wage rates starting January 1, 2022.
- What workplaces should know about the minimum wage requirements.
- Learn about rights and responsibilities under the ESA.