Five Canadian provinces raise general minimum wages on October 1, 2026

General minimum wages go up in five Canadian provinces on October 1, 2026. The highest new rate is in Ontario, where the general minimum will be $17.95 an hour, up from $17.60^[5]. Manitoba, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and Saskatchewan also move to new rates on the same day. For hotels and cleaning contractors in these provinces, room attendants, public area cleaners and laundry staff paid at or close to the minimum will need a higher hourly rate from that date.

The new rates by province

Each province sets its own minimum wage, so the rate depends on where the work is done:

• Ontario: the general rate becomes $17.95 an hour^[3]. The student minimum wage becomes $16.90 an hour^[3], and the homeworkers rate becomes $19.70 an hour^[3].
• Prince Edward Island: the general rate will be $17.30 an hour, up from $17.00^[5]. A further step to $17.60 is planned for April 1, 2027^[5].
• Nova Scotia: the rate reaches $17.00 an hour, up from $16.75^[5]. This is the second increase this year, after the province moved to $16.75 on April 1^[2].
• Manitoba: a 40-cent raise takes the rate to $16.40 an hour, up from $16.00^[1].
• Saskatchewan: the rate becomes $15.70 an hour, up from $15.35^[5].

In most jurisdictions, the general rates cover young workers as well^[4]. Check the specific rules in your province for any exceptions that may apply to your staff.

Why the rates are rising

The increases are tied to inflation formulas. Manitoba linked its adjustment to the province's 2025 inflation rate, with the result rounded upward to the next five-cent step^[1]. Nova Scotia kept its legislated formula, which adds one percent to the change in the consumer price index^[2].

Because these formulas repeat each year, hotel and contractor budgets in these provinces should plan for regular increases. Prince Edward Island has already announced its next step for April 2027^[5]. This article covers provincial general minimum wages only and is not legal advice. Check with your advisor on how the new rates apply to your workforce and contracts.

ARPCLEAN take

What does this mean for housekeeping?

For cleaning contractors

• Payroll: set the new provincial rates in payroll for all shifts worked from October 1, 2026.
• Contract pricing: review hotel cleaning contracts for wage escalation clauses and send price adjustment notices where the contract allows it.
• Pay gaps: check whether raising entry rates squeezes the gap to supervisors and experienced staff.

For hotels

• In-house staff: update hourly rates for housekeeping and laundry staff in the affected provinces.
• Budgets: expect higher prices from outsourced cleaning partners and plan for PEI's April 2027 step.

Staff, minutes per room and cost per room in one calculation.

Calculate cost per room →