Canada’s federal minimum wage is set to increase as part of a nationwide federal minimum wage increase, with workers getting more pay starting in April.
Employment and Social Development Canada said in a press release Tuesday that the minimum wage will increase from $17.75 to $18.15 an hour starting April 1.
The change applies to employees in federally regulated private sectors, including air transportation, banking, federal Crown corporations, ports, and telecommunications.
The government said the new rate represents a 21 percent increase compared to 2021 levels.
“An employee must be paid at least the federal minimum wage. If the minimum wage in the province or territory where the employee usually works is higher than the federal minimum wage, the employer must pay the higher minimum wage,” Employment and Social Development Canada says on its website.
Employers in the affected areas will need to update their payroll systems to reflect the new wages from April.
Despite the increase, the minimum wage will still be higher in some areas. Yukon and Nunavut are expected to remain above the federal rate, while British Columbia’s minimum wage will rise to $18.25 in June.
