Canada’s federal minimum income will rise by 7 percent to align with inflation. Further, the minimum wage will rise by $1.10, onwards today. The Canadian labor minister stated that the increased cost of living must equal the increased wages. Moreover, this is the best way for economic growth and brings economic abundance to everyone.
The recent ESDCs press release revealed that the federal minimum income would rise to $16.65 as of April 1, 2023. This change came into effect as a result of the Consumer Price Index, which increased by 6.8 percent last year.
Presently, ESDC observes that nearly 26,000 Canadians working in the country earn below $15.55 per hour. This is the least federal wage currently.
The federal minimum income rate revolves around workers and interns in private sectors under federal regulation. These will include courier, postal, bank services, marine, interprovincial air, rail, and road transportation.
Canada’s federal minimum income
Considering the increasing federal minimum income, Canadian employers must offer a higher income to workers. This will depend upon the income rate, which is higher among the federal minimum income and the provincial and territorial wage.
At present, the following are the minimum income rates in each of the Canadian provinces or territories:
| Province/Territory | Rate | Note(s) |
|---|---|---|
| British Columbia | $15.65 | As of 06/01/2022 |
| Alberta | $15.00 | As of 06/26/2019 |
| Saskatchewan | $13.00 | As of 10/01/2022. Set to increase to $14.00 on 10/01/2023, then to $15.00 on 10/01/2024. |
| Manitoba | $13.50 | As of 10/01/2022. Set to increase to $14.15 on 04/01/2023, then to $15.30 on 10/01/2023. |
| Ontario | $15.50 | As of 10/01/2022 |
| Quebec | $14.25 | As of 05/01/2022 |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | $13.70 | As of 10/01/2022. Set to increase to $14.50 on 04/01/2023, then to $15.00 on 10/01/2023. |
| New Brunswick | $13.75 | As of 10/01/2022. Ready to increase to $14.75 on 04/01/2023. |
| Prince Edward Island | $14.50 | As of 01/01/2023. Set to increase to $15.00 on 10/01/2023. |
| Nova Scotia | $13.60 | As of 10/01/2022. Will increase to $14.50 on 04/01/2023, then to $15.00 on 10/01/2023. |
| Northwest Territories | $15.20 | As of 09/01/2021 |
| Nunavut | $16.00 | As of 04/01/2020 |
| Yukon | $15.70 | As of 04/01/2022. This will increase to $16.77 on 04/01/2023. |
Canada’s federal minimum income for immigrants and their employment rights
When Canadian immigrants arrive in Canada, they often end up accessing work opportunities that don’t align with the wage they deserve. Furthermore, this implies that Canadian immigrants are mostly overqualified for the lower-income jobs they attain.
IRCC has always taken the initiative to spread awareness among newcomers in Canada about their employment rights. This approach will likely reduce the chances of their exploitation when they come here.
Notably, Canadian Workers’ Rights can be well understood through Canada Labour Code, the federal legislation. The legislation states work compensation as well as a secure work environment for all types of workers. These could be foreign workers, permanent residents, international students, and citizens.
The employment rights
Newcomers in Canada consist of specific primary entitlements, which include the following:
- Having the right to information offered to them on behalf of their Canadian employer.
- Signed agreement copy of the employment, which they receive on their first day at work. The employment copy must include the job payment and overtime employment terms.
- Employment training.
- Relevant healthcare services.
Canadian Employers are not supposed to ill-treat their workers, even if they are new immigrants in Canada. IRCC comprises the following guiding principles regarding ill-treatment:
- Compelling workers to undertake unsafe and unauthorized work aligns with the job agreement.
- Forcing employees to perform tasks even when they’re ill or injured.
- If an employee is not subject to work overtime per his employment agreement, the employer must not force them to work overtime.
- Not giving back an employee’s work permit or passport.
- A worker’s deportation and change in their immigration status.
According to Canada’s Labour Code, Canadian employers must fulfill the duty to accommodate. Additionally, this might imply that they may have to modify the workplace environment under specific conditions. They might need to reduce workplace discrimination by changing their duties to ensure a smooth workflow for the immigrant worker.
The Canadian Human Rights Act states that there are eleven grounds based on which a worker might be subject to discrimination. These include race, color, religion, age, sexual orientation, sex, disability, conviction (for which he or she must have received pardon), and marital and family status.
Reporting about the issues an employee faces at their workplace
The reporting measures in Canada are different based on the types of issues. Workers who are recipients of poor treatment on the part of their employers or facing exploitation in terms of their employment agreement have a solution. They can reach out to the employment standard office in the province or territory for help.
Next, those facing issues like being compelled to work under dire or risky circumstances or working in any unsafe environment must report to the health and safety office of the province or territory. The same shall apply to those who are recipients of injury or sickness because of their work.
Additionally, those who were subject to injury or sickness while they were at their workplace can also apply for workers’ compensation benefits. These benefits imply the payment given to the workers as compensation for their income loss due to their injury or illness.
