Human Resources Legislative Update
Ontario Minimum Wage to Increase October 1, 2025
Date: April 1, 2025
On April 1, 2025, the Ontario government announced that the general minimum wage will increase to $17.60 an hour (from $17.20 an hour) effective October 1, 2025. This minimum wage applies to most employees.
The minimum wage for the following groups will also increase on October 1, 2025:
- Student minimum wage will increase to $16.60 an hour. This wage applies to students under the age of 18 who work 28 hours a week or fewer when school is in session or who work during a school break or summer holidays.
- Hunting, fishing and wilderness guides minimum wage will increase to $88.05, the rate for working fewer than five consecutive hours in a day, or to $176.15, the rate for working five or more hours in a day whether or not the hours are consecutive.
- Homeworkers minimum wage will increase to $19.35 an hour. This wage applies to employees who do paid work in their own home. Note that where students of any age are employed as homeworkers, they must be paid this wage rate.
This adjustment reflects the 2.4% increase in the Ontario Consumer Price Index (CPI) for 2024.
If you have any questions about your obligations in connection with this upcoming change, please feel free to contact your regular Hicks Morley lawyer.
