Minimum wage in Canada? What you need to know.

With universal healthcare, a socially progressive government, and easy access to all kinds of stunning natural scenery, it’s no wonder Canada is a country that has people all over the world considering an international move.

But after you foot the costs of the move, you’ll need to know whether you can actually afford to live in Canada. If you’re looking for a local job, the country’s minimum wage could end up being your paycheck. Is it enough to live on? How far will a minimum wage salary really take you in Canada?

Read on to learn what you need to know.

What’s the minimum wage in Canada?

Canada’s minimum wage varies depending on the type of work you do and which province you’re in, but the lowest you can expect to be paid is C$10.10 per hour if you’re a liquor server in British Columbia or Ontario. The minimum wage ranges all the way up to C$13.60 per hour for all workers in Alberta.

Who determines minimum wages? When was the last increase?

Minimum wages in Canada are set by the country’s provincial governments but must be approved by the federal Cabinet. The federal minimum wage in Canada was abolished in 1996 when it was decided that federal employees would be paid the minimum wage or higher based on the province in which they are typically employed. Because each of Canada’s 10 provinces and three territories sets its own minimum wage, changes happen pretty frequently.

Here are the most recent increases in the minimum wage for each part of Canada:

Canadian Jurisdiction	Effective Date	Minimum Wage
Alberta	1 Oct 2017	C$13.60 per hour
British Columbia	15 Sep 2017	C$11.35 per hour C$10.10 per hour for liquor servers
Manitoba	1 Oct 2017	C$11.15 per hour
New Brunswick	1 Apr 2017	C$11 per hour
Newfoundland and Labrador	1 Oct 2017	C$11 per hour
Northwest Territories	1 Jun 2015	C$12.50 per hour
Nova Scotia	1 Apr 2017	C$10.85 per hour for experienced workers C$10.35 per hour for inexperienced workers
Nunavut	1 Apr 2016	C$13 per hour
Ontario	1 Oct 2017	C$11.60 per hour C$10.10 per hour for liquor serversC$10.90 per hour for students under 18
Prince Edward Island	1 Apr 2017	C$11.25 per hour
Quebec	1 May 2017	C$11.25 per hour C$9.45 per hour if gratuities apply
Saskatchewan	1 Oct 2017	C$10.96 per hour
Yukon	1 Apr 2017	C$11.32 per hour

Does the minimum wage differ by age in Canada?

Ontario is the only province where age can affect minimum wage. Ontario has a minimum wage that is 70 cents lower for students under 18 years of age, but that only applies if they work fewer than 28 hours per week.

Is there a different minimum wage for apprenticeships or internships?

There is no different minimum wage for internships, though unpaid internships are legal in Canada. If an internship is paid, it has to abide by the minimum wage set for the province. Apprenticeship wage laws vary by province, but generally, there are no minimum wage requirements for registered apprentices in Canada.

Historically, how much has the minimum wage changed over time?

Canada’s minimum wage was established in 1965 at C$1.25 per hour, though some provinces had established minimum wages at the time that were lower. A federal minimum wage remained in effect until 1996, when it was decided that provinces would each set their own minimum wage and federal workers would be paid according to the province in which they did most of their work. Canada has seen minimum wage increases in at least one province every year since its minimum wage was implemented. Today, there are several provinces that guarantee a yearly increase based on the cost of living.

What’s the minimum per month you need to make to qualify for national healthcare or health insurance?

In Canada, all permanent residents are able to apply for national healthcare, regardless of their income. Each province has different rules regarding who qualifies as a permanent resident, but income doesn’t affect a Canadian resident’s ability to get medically necessary care. Many employers offer private, supplemental health insurance, and cost and income requirements for those are entirely up to the employer.

What’s the living wage in Canada? How much can you really get by on?

How much money you need to make to live in Canada really depends on the city you live in. The cost of living varies quite a bit between, say, Toronto, one of Canada’s most expensive cities, and Montreal, a much more affordable alternative. But one person can reasonably expect to spend more than $12,000 per year on necessary living expenses in Canada, not including rent.

Living between countries or thinking of making a move? Wise could help you save when you send money abroad.

You can make international money transfers via your bank to send money abroad, or you can use Wise. While banks may mark up the exchange rate on international transfers so they can make money, Wise gives you the real mid-market rate — the same exchange rate you see on Google — so you know you’re getting the best possible deal. There are no hidden fees or markups; with Wise, you just pay a small transfer fee that’s spelled out upfront.

Wise also offers borderless multi-currency accounts, which allow you to send, receive and manage money in multiple global currencies all at once. If you live in one country but work in another, you can get local bank details in the US, the UK, the EU or Australia so you can get paid like a local, without paying expensive international fees to send or receive money abroad.

Compared to other countries, is the minimum wage in Canada good?

Whether the minimum wage is “good” really depends on the cost of living in any given country. But here’s how Canada’s minimum wage compares to other parts of the world.

Country	Minimum Wage (in US dollars)
Canada	$7.93 - $10.68 per hour
Germany	$1,769.80 per month
United States	$7.25 per hour
United Kingdom	$9.93 per hour
Australia	$508.88 per week
Norway	No legal minimum wage
France	$1,748.85 per month
Singapore	No legal minimum wage
Dubai (UAE)	No legal minimum wage
Belgium	$1,846.11 per month

Ready to make a living in Canada? Regardless of where you end up, good luck with your move!