By the Numbers: Minimum Wage in Canada by province for 2011

2011 Minimum Wage by Province

According to Statistics Canada approximately 5.8% of all employees in Canada are working at or below the provincial minimum wage.  Although most provinces recently increased the minimum wage, statistics show that further increases would be required in order to raise the income of the working poor out of poverty. (Statistics Canada figures show that a full-time minimum wage earner in a large city falls $6,000 below the Low-Income Cut-Off (LICO) line).

British Columbia still has the lowest minimum wage in the country at $8.75/hour, while Nunavut leads the way at $11. Ontario recently increased its minimum wage to $10.25; while the Quebec minimum wage is $9.65.

Source: Statistics Canada, May 2011

Most minimum wage earners are women and young people

Young workers under 25, and women between 25 to 54, make up the majority (81%) of minimum wage workers. Even working 40 hours a week, many of these workers are living at, or below the poverty line. Low income single mothers are at even higher risk of living below the poverty line, and not being able to provide for their children.

Source: Perspectives on labour and income, March 2010

Most part time workers earn minimum wage

The rate of minimum wage work was six times higher among part-time workers than full-time workers. Almost 60% of minimum wage workers held part-time jobs, compared with less than 20% for the total labour force.

Source: Perspective on labour and income, March 2010

Vol. XI No. 20 • May 16, 2011