How much is the minimum wage in Ontario?

It all depends on what an employee does for a living. You’ll notice there are different rates for students, liquor servers, wildlife guides and homeworkers. You’ll also notice an increase scheduled for October 1, 2021. Make a note of this increase and don’t forget to incorporate it into your payroll. The following information is from the Government of Ontario: General minimum wage: $14.35 per hour (as of October 1, 2021 until September 30, 2022) Student minimum wage: $13.50 per hour (as of October 1, 2021 until September 30, 2022) Liquor servers minimum wage: $12.55 per hour (as of October 1, 2021 until September 30, 2022) Hunting, fishing and wilderness guides minimum wage: $71.75 (rate for working less than five consecutive hours in a day), $143.55 (rate for working five or more hours in a day whether or not the hours are consecutive) (as of October 1, 2021 until September 30, 2022) Homeworker’s wage: $15.80 per hour (as of October 1, 2021 until September 30, 2022)

Definitions

General minimum wage applies to most employees. Student minimum wage is paid when the employee is 17 or younger and works during a school break or over the summer, or 28 or less hours per week during the school year. Liquor servers minimum wage is paid to employees who serve liquor and regularly receive tips. Hunting, fishing and wilderness guides minimum wage is paid to employees over 18 who, according to the Government of Ontario, are “employed to guide, teach or assist a person or people while they are engaged in activities in a wilderness environment.” Homeworkers wage is paid to employees who perform paid work in their own home. The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the nature of work for many employees, who may find themselves working under these circumstances. Students of any age who perform this type of work must be paid the homeworkers wage instead of the Student minimum wage.