March 24, 2026 Gatineau, Quebec Employment and Social Development Canada
In a rapidly changing world, we are focusing on what we can control: building a stronger, more resilient Canada. This calls for decisive action to protect jobs, strengthen local economies and ensure workers can adapt to changing economic realities.
Today, the Government of Canada announced that, starting April 1, 2026, the federal minimum wage will rise to $18.15 per hour. This represents a total cumulative increase of 21% since the introduction of the standalone federal minimum wage in 2021. This measure has supported thousands of workers in minimum-wage jobs across the federally regulated private sector. Regularly updating the minimum wage protects the wage floor workers rely on and strengthens the standard for fair pay.
By indexing the federal minimum wage to inflation, the government is providing greater certainty and security to more Canadians. The increase complements other new measures aimed at bringing down the cost of groceries and other essentials, such as the Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit and the Food Security Fund. These and other measures will help make life more affordable while building a strong economy that benefits all Canadians.
