Canada Salary Increases in 2026

Updated September 2026

The minimum wages and average salaries in Canada have changed again in 2026, reflecting the government's ongoing effort to balance living costs with fair compensation. In this blog post, we discuss the latest wage shifts across Canada, including the federal rate increase and the province-by-province changes that have taken effect this year.

What is the salary increase for Canada in 2026?

In 2026, the federal minimum wage for federally regulated workers rose from $17.75 to $18.15 per hour, effective April 1, 2026, a 2.3% increase tied to the previous year's Consumer Price Index. This applies to employees in sectors such as banking, telecommunications, postal services, air transportation and interprovincial trucking.

Across the provinces and territories, most jurisdictions adjusted their minimum hourly wage during 2026, tied to changes in consumer prices or specific review formulas. British Columbia, Ontario, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Yukon and Nunavut all implemented increases this year, some in multiple steps.

Several jurisdictions have further increases scheduled for October 2026, including Manitoba (rising to $16.40), Saskatchewan (rising to $15.70), Ontario (rising to $17.95) and Nova Scotia (rising to $17.00), plus the Northwest Territories (rising to $17.20) and Nunavut (rising to $20.17) in September.

Taken together, the 2026 increases across Canada mean that entry-level hourly pay continues to move upward in nearly every region, with Alberta remaining the only jurisdiction that has not raised its minimum wage this year.

Minimum Wage in Canada

As of September 2026, Canada's federal minimum wage is $18.15 CAD per hour, up from $17.75 in 2025. This rate applies only to federally regulated industries; provincial and territorial minimum wages apply to all other workers, and several of these now exceed the federal rate. Nunavut has the highest minimum wage in the country at $20.17 CAD per hour. Here is a table showing Canada's federal minimum wage over recent years, according to the official website of Government of Canada.

Highest Minimum Wage in Canada

Provincial and territorial minimum wages are generally adjusted based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI), which measures inflation, or the change in the cost of living over time. This helps ensure that workers' earnings keep pace with rising costs. As of September 2026, here is how the provinces and territories compare:

Nunavut continues to hold the highest minimum wage in Canada, reflecting the high cost of living in the territory due to its remote location and limited access to goods and services. Yukon and British Columbia round out the top three.

Is the Minimum Wage in Canada Enough to Live on?

It depends on where you live, your household size, and your expenses. In major cities such as Toronto and Vancouver, minimum wage often does not cover all basic needs, especially for those supporting a family, while in smaller towns or regions with a lower cost of living, it is more manageable for a single person to get by. Although the Canadian government continues to raise minimum wage rates to protect workers, they are not always enough for a comfortable and secure life. If you are planning to move to Canada or bring your family to Canada, it is important to evaluate your expected costs against your anticipated wage.