The Ontario minimum wage went up to $17.95 an hour on October 1, 2026, from $17.60. If you work in Toronto or anywhere in the GTA, here is what the new rate means for your paycheque, who it covers and how the annual increase works.
Since October 1, 2026, the general minimum wage in Ontario is $17.95 per hour. The province announced the increase in the spring, which gives employers several months to update payroll before the change takes effect.
The increase is 35 cents an hour. That may sound small, but over a full year of full-time work it adds up.
Here is what the new minimum wage looks like before taxes and deductions:
| Hours | Gross pay at $17.95 |
|---|---|
| 20 hours a week | $359.00 per week |
| 30 hours a week | $538.50 per week |
| 40 hours a week | $718.00 per week |
| 40 hours a week, 52 weeks | about $37,336 per year |
Your take-home pay will be lower once income tax, CPP contributions and EI premiums are deducted. For more on government payments that can top up a household budget, see our guide to the Canada Child Benefit and Ontario Child Benefit.
Ontario adjusts its minimum wage once a year, on October 1. The new rate is tied to inflation, measured by the Ontario Consumer Price Index, and is announced in advance, usually by April 1. This means the minimum wage follows the cost of living instead of staying frozen for years.
For renters, it is worth comparing this with the yearly cap on rent increases. Our article on the Ontario rent increase guideline explains how that cap is set.
The general minimum wage applies to most employees working for provincially regulated employers in Ontario, which includes most jobs in retail, restaurants, offices, warehouses and services across Toronto and the GTA.
Note that the federal minimum wage is set on its own schedule. You can find the current federal rate on Canada.ca.
In Ontario, most employees are entitled to overtime pay after 44 hours of work in a week. Overtime is paid at 1.5 times the regular rate. At $17.95, that is $26.93 an hour for overtime hours.
Public holidays also matter. If you work on a statutory holiday, you are usually entitled to public holiday pay or a substitute day off. Our list of Ontario statutory holidays for 2027 helps you plan ahead.
Toronto is one of the most expensive places to live in Canada, mostly because of rent. Many workers and advocacy groups argue that the minimum wage is still below what it costs to live comfortably in the city, while business groups point to rising costs for small employers. Either way, the October increase gives minimum-wage workers a little more room in their budget as winter arrives.
Planning a big purchase this month? Many GTA residents are budgeting for the GTA 6 launch on November 19; gamers can find release guides at our GTA 6 news and guides site.
The general minimum wage in Ontario is $17.95 an hour, effective October 1, 2026.
Ontario raises its minimum wage every October 1, based on inflation. The next rate is normally announced by April 1.
No. Toronto follows the Ontario minimum wage. Cities in Ontario do not set their own minimum wage.
No. Employers must pay at least the minimum wage, and tips are extra.
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