Ontario Minimum Wage Rate Set at $10.25 Per Hour in 2011

Ontario, Canada: Newsroom

News Release

February 11, 2011 2:00 PM

2011 Minimum Wage Rate Set – Highest of Canadian Provinces

McGuinty Government Striking the Right Balance

After seven consecutive increases, the Ontario minimum wage rate will remain at $10.25 per hour in 2011, the highest provincial minimum wage in Canada.

The Ontario minimum wage has increased by 50 percent with annual increases in the last seven years. These increases outpaced inflation in part to make up for a nine year minimum wage freeze between 1995 and 2004.

The McGuinty government has recently introduced a broad package of supports and tax relief for Ontario families including tax cuts, second career training, the Ontario Child Benefit and the Ontario Clean Energy Benefit – taking 10% off electricity bills.

In the fall of 2011, the government will appoint a committee representing both business and workers to provide advice on the minimum wage in advance of the 2012 budget.