Ottawa (Rajeev Sharma): The federal minimum wage in Canada is set to increase to $18.15 per hour starting April 1, according to an announcement by Employment and Social Development Canada.
The current federal minimum wage stands at $17.75 per hour, which has been in effect since April 1, 2025. The latest increase is aimed at keeping pace with inflation and ensuring greater financial stability for workers.
The federal minimum wage applies to employees in federally regulated sectors such as interprovincial transportation, telecommunications and banking.
The government also clarified that if a province or territory has a higher minimum wage, employers under federal jurisdiction are required to pay the higher rate.
Canada adjusts its federal minimum wage annually on April 1 based on the country’s average Consumer Price Index (CPI) from the previous year, rounded to the nearest $0.05. In 2025, the CPI rose by 2.1 per cent, contributing to the latest wage increase.
