Minimum wage in Ontario
The general hourly rate, when it started, what the official page says comes next, and where to read it.
General minimum wage
$17.95 per hour
In effect since October 1, 2026.
Source: Ontario.ca: Your guide to the Employment Standards Act, Minimum wage (page updated September 28, 2026) official. Last checked October 28, 2026.
Next change
The rate is indexed to inflation every year. The page says new rates are published on or before April 1 and take effect on October 1. No rate for October 1, 2027 is announced on the page.
ontario.ca official
Other rates
Students under 18
$16.90 per hour, for students under 18 who work 28 hours a week or less during the school year or during a school break.
ontario.ca official
Homeworkers
$19.70 per hour. Students of any age working as homeworkers must receive this rate.
ontario.ca official
Wilderness guides
$89.75 for working less than five consecutive hours in a day, and $179.50 for working five or more hours in a day (whether or not the hours are consecutive).
ontario.ca official
Official sources
Cross-check: the Government of Canada’s table of general minimum wage rates lists $17.95 from October 1, 2026. It is a federal page, not Ontario’s own, so we keep the page above as the main source. minwage-salairemin.service.canada.ca official
General information only, not legal advice. If your pay is in question, the official page and the labour standards office of Ontario govern. Rates can change: see how we check.