A rise in minimum wage rates is to be seen in six Canadian provinces by October. The early part of this month will soon witness a rise in the federal minimum wage from $15.55 to $16.65. Moreover, this created a substantial impact, according to the ESDC. Also, nearly 26,000 Canadians have a reduced income of around $15.55 per hour.
The minimum wage rise on a federal level will eventually combine with the minimum wage rate increase on a regional level.
A rise in minimum wage rates to be seen in six Canadian provinces
Here’s a breakdown of the minimum wage rise to occur by October:
- From $15.50 to $16.55 in the province of Ontario.
- Up to $15.30 from $14.15 in Manitoba.
- From $13.00 to $14.00 in Saskatchewan.
- Up to $15.00 from $14.50 in Nova Scotia.
- Up to $15.00 from $14.50 in Newfoundland and Labrador.
- From $14.50 to $15.00 in Prince Edward Island.
Essentially, Saskatchewan already indicated its aim to increase its federal minimum wage in October 2024. The rise will be from $14.00 to $15.00 per hour.
A rise in minimum wage rates- what do the new changes imply for newcomers in Canada?
Craig Pickthorne, Communication Coordinator, stated that immigrants belong to one of the three main groups. These are often associated with women and equity-seeking groups. Also, these are primarily close to the wage spectrum of the bottom scale.
Furthermore, this month’s rise in the federal minimum wage rate will only impact the workers under federally regulated occupations. Therefore, the latest update of the regional minimum wage rate rise will only affect the recent new immigrants in Canada.
The following table reflects the figure of new permanent residents who arrived in each Canadian province in 2022. Moreover, the recent news about the regional minimum wage rate increase in six Canadian provinces by October will only raise the income bar for candidates.
Also, this specific initiative will help these new immigrants in Canada to live convenient lives in their established homes.
| Province/Territory | 2022 PRs | Percentage of all PRs | Change (in %) from 2021 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Newfoundland and Labrador | 3,490 | 0.7% | +0.2% |
| Prince Edward Island | 2,665 | 0.6% | – |
| Nova Scotia | 12,650 | 2.8% | +0.6% |
| New Brunswick | 10,205 | 2.3% | +1% |
| Quebec | 68,685 | 15.7% | +3.4% |
| Ontario | 184,725 | 42.2% | -6.7% |
| Manitoba | 21,645 | 4.9% | +0.8% |
| Saskatchewan | 21,635 | 4.9% | +2.2% |
| Alberta | 49,460 | 11.3% | +1.4% |
| British Columbia | 61,215 | 14% | -3.1% |
| Yukon | 455 | 0.1% | – |
| Northwest Territories | 235 | 0.0% | -0.1% |
| Nunavut | 45 | 0.0% | – |
| Province not stated | 20 | 0.0% | -0.1% |
| Canada total | 437,120 | 100% | – |
Newcomers in Canada will receive protection through Universal labor laws
Typically, new immigrants in Canada often reflect an excessive representation concerning low-income professions. Hence, it is crucial to understand that they will still have access to equal rights and protections as all workers throughout Canada.
Canada’s Labor Code states that permanent residents, Canadian citizens, TFWs, international students, and employed people will have the right to work in a safer environment and receive worker’s compensation.
Additionally, Canadian employers will need to provide workers and newcomers with the following essential things:
- Job training;
- Considerable healthcare services;
- Essential information regarding their rights as employees;
- Signed Agreement Copy
Notably, the employment agreement must depict the compensation rate and terms related to overtime work. However, the agreement is not limited to these factors. Also, employers must ensure that they provide this agreement to workers a day before their first working day or on a working day.
Likewise, Canadian employers must not misbehave with their workers in any way, such as the following:
- Compelling workers to perform risky tasks or work outside their employment agreement.
- Making injured or sick people work.
- Imposing overtime work on workers without such terms and conditions in their employment agreement.
- Forcefully taking a worker’s passport or work permit from them.
- Making any changes to a worker’s immigration status or asking them for deportation.
Employer’s misconduct
Canadian employees might find it challenging to report matters of inappropriate code of conduct by their employers. This might be primarily due to their fear concerning the repercussions of the job loss. However, it is crucial to comprehend that provincial and territorial workplace offices concerning the safety and health of the workers also exist. Hence, Canadian workers can report such matters at these offices.
For instance, Ontario comprises a Health and Safety Contact Centre, where Canadian immigrants can report any issues via phone. This province gains a massive number of newcomers every year.
