Ontario's minimum wage went up. Here's what you need to know
Ontario’s minimum wage has gone up.
On Saturday, the provincial minimum wage increased by 50 cents to an hourly rate of $15.50.
The 50 cent hike was first announced by Ontario’s Minister of Labour Monte McNaughton at an April news conference.
In 2018, Premier Doug Ford elected to freeze minimum wage increases before they were scheduled to rise to $15.00 in Jan. 2019. Instead, the province landed on raising it 35 cents to $14.35 an hour.
Then, in Jan. 2022, it was raised to $15.00 an hour -- a year later than originally slated.
WHAT ABOUT SPECIALIZED WAGES?
Students will also see a 50 cent increase in their wages Saturday -- from $14.10 to $14.60 an hour.
The government notes that students of any age (including students under the age of 18 years old) who are employed as homeworkers must be paid the homeworker’s minimum wage rather than the student’s.
Homeworkers, which the Ontario government defines as “employees who do paid work in their own homes,” will see a 55 cent increase, with their wages going up to $17.05 an hour.
Effective Jan. 1, 2022, the special minimum wage rate that previously applied to certain “liquor servers” was eliminated. They are now paid the provincial minimum wage.
To learn more about changes to specialized wages, click here.
WHAT HAPPENS IF I’M MID-PAY PERIOD WHEN THE CHANGE OCCURS?
If a pay increase occurs partway through your pay period, the province says that “the pay period will be treated as if it were two separate pay periods and the employee will be entitled to at least the minimum wage that applies in each of those periods.”
WILL ONTARIO’S MINIMUM WAGE INCREASE IN 2023?
According to the province, minimum wage rates stand to increase annually on Oct. 1. The province says that if new rates are to come into effect on Oct. 1, 2023, they will publicly announce so on or before April 1, 2023.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
A healthy lifestyle can mitigate genetic risk for early death by 62%, study suggests
Even if your genetics put you at greater risk for early death, a healthy lifestyle could help you significantly combat it, according to a new study.
When you have a moment's notice to evacuate, what do you take?
Knowing what to have at home, or take with you for an evacuation, can be useful and even life-saving.
B.C. brings in law on name changes on day that child killer's new identity revealed
The BC NDP have tabled legislation aimed at stopping people who have committed certain heinous acts from changing their names.
No, a best-selling American writing duo didn't pen a Galen Weston romance novel
You would be forgiven for thinking Christina Lauren's latest romance novel stars a hunky reimagining of Loblaw chairman Galen G. Weston.
Avs forward Valeri Nichushkin suspended at least six months
Colorado Avalanche forward Valeri Nichushkin was suspended for at least six months without pay and placed in Stage 3 of the league's player assistance program.
Sunchips, Munchies recalled by Frito Lay Canada for possible salmonella contamination
Frito Lay Canada is recalling two of its most popular snacks due to a possible risk of salmonella contamination.
Ellen DeGeneres addresses the 'hurtful' end of her talk show in new stand-up set
Ellen DeGeneres is reflecting on how her talk show came to an end in her newest Netflix special, 'Ellen's Last Stand ... Up Tour.'
Western University researchers unlock potential 'cure' for ALS
New research out of London, Ont.'s Western University is shedding light on a potential cure for ALS, in which the targeting of the interaction between two proteins can halt or fully reverse the disease's progression.
Police release 3D images of young child found in an Ontario river two years ago
Police have released a three-dimensional image of a young child whose remains were discovered in the Grand River in Dunnville, Ont. almost two years ago.