色狐入口

On October 1 this year, six of ten provinces across Canada will raise regional minimum wage rates.

At the beginning of this month, Canada鈥檚 federal minimum wage rose from $15.55 to $16.65. This move was impactful, as (ESDC) noted at the time, because 鈥�around 26,000 working Canadians earn less than $15.55 per hour.鈥�

Coinciding with that minimum wage increase on a federal level, Canadians in more than half of the country鈥檚 provinces will soon see their minimum wage rates increase at a regional level. More specifically, the anticipated October 1 minimum wage increases will be as follows:

Ontario: Up to $16.55 from $15.50

Manitoba: Up to $15.30 from $14.15

Saskatchewan: Up to $14.00 from $13.00

Nova Scotia: Up to $15.00 from $14.50

Newfoundland and Labrador: Up to $15.00 from $14.50

Prince Edward Island (PEI): Up to $15.00 from $14.50

Note: Saskatchewan has already indicated that they will once again raise their federal minimum wage in October 2024, from $14.00 to $15.00 per hour

What these changes mean for new Canadian immigrants

According to Craig Pickthorne, communications coordinator at the Ontario Living Wage Network, 鈥渋mmigrants鈥� are one of three groups 鈥� alongside 鈥渆quity-seeking groups鈥� and 鈥渨omen鈥� 鈥� who 鈥渙verwhelmingly鈥� find themselves near 鈥溾��

Therefore, particularly because the federal minimum wage increase from earlier this month affects only employees in federally regulated occupations, the news of increasing regional minimum wage rates will benefit a significant number of recent Canadian newcomers.

In fact, the following table presents the number of new permanent residents that landed in each Canadian province last year. For a significant portion of the recent immigrants in the six provinces receiving minimum wage increases in October, the move will be a welcome boost to their earning potential. Subsequently, this move can be expected to aid them in establishing more comfortable lives in their new home.

Canadian newcomers are protected by universal labour laws

While Canadian immigrants are typically overrepresented in low-wage occupations, it is vital to understand that they are still afforded the same rights and protections as all other workers in this country.

outlines that permanent residents, citizens, temporary foreign workers, international students and all other employed persons are entitled to perform their job in a safe environment and be compensated for their work.

Additionally, employers across Canada are required to provide employees, including newcomers, with job training, 鈥渞easonable鈥� healthcare services, information pertaining to their rights and a signed copy of their .

Note: An employment agreement must outline details including, but not limited to, the rate of compensation and terms of any applicable overtime work. This agreement must be provided to employees on or before their first day of work.

Similarly, Canadian employers must ensure they do not mistreat employees in any of the following ways, including:

• Forcing employees to perform unsafe work or work that is not outlined in their employment agreement
• Forcing sick/injured employees to work
• Forcing overtime work on employees who do not have such conditions in their employment agreement
• Taking away an employee鈥檚 passport/work permit
• Altering an employee鈥檚 immigration status or threatening them with deportation

Reporting employer misconduct

Fear of consequences such as job loss may prevent Canadian employees, and especially immigrants, from reporting workplace misconduct. However, it is important for all Canadians to understand that provincial and territorial workplace health and safety offices exist across the country to help with the reporting of these issues.

In Ontario, for example, the destination province for most Canadian immigrants, urgent and immediate concerns can be reported to the by phone.

A more complete list of workplace health and safety offices across Canada can be found .