Human Resources Legislative Update
Reminder to Employers: Ontario to Increase Minimum Wage Effective October 1, 2026
Date: September 22, 2026
A reminder to employers that the Ontario government will be increasing the general minimum wage to $17.95 per hour (previously $17.60 per hour) effective October 1, 2026. This minimum wage rate is one of the highest in Canada and applies to most provincially regulated employees.
The minimum wage for the following groups will also increase on October 1, 2026:
- Student minimum wage will increase to $16.90 per hour. This minimum wage applies to students under the age of 18 who work 28 hours per week or less when school is in session or to students who work during prescribed school breaks or summer holidays.
- Hunting, fishing and wilderness guides minimum wage will increase to $89.75 per day, the rate for working less than five consecutive hours in a day, or to $179.50 per day, the rate for working five or more hours in a day whether or not the hours are consecutive.
- Homeworkers minimum wage will increase to $19.70 per hour. This wage applies to employees who do paid work in their own home. Note that where students of any age (including students under the age of 18 years) are employed as homeworkers, they must be paid the homeworker’s minimum wage.
This adjustment is intended to reflect the 1.9% increase in the Ontario Consumer Price Index (CPI) for 2026.
If you have any questions about your obligations in connection with this upcoming change, please feel free to contact your Hicks Morley lawyer.
The article in this client update provides general information and should not be relied on as legal advice or opinion. This publication is copyrighted by Hicks Morley Hamilton Stewart Storie LLP and may not be photocopied or reproduced in any form, in whole or in part, without the express permission of Hicks Morley Hamilton Stewart Storie LLP. ©