Defining the Minimum Wage

The minimum wage is the lowest hourly pay rate that an employer pays to an employee. Almost all employees are eligible for minimum wage, no matter if they work full-time, part-time, or get their pay at the rate per hour. The pay period determines the compliance with minimum wage requirements. If you run a Canadian company, click here for a list of Minimum Wage Requirements in Canada.

How to calculate General Minimum Wage?

The general minimum wage applies to most of the employees. In order to calculate the general minimum wage, we have an example for you:

• Calculation of general minimum wage: Sara works 38 hours on a weekly basis.
• The minimum wage applicable to Sara is $15.00 per hour.

Minimum Wage requirements for Most Employees:

The minimum wage requirements and the wage rates of most of the employees are as follows:

1. Student Minimum Wage

The general minimum wage requirements apply to a student under 18 who works 28 per week when school is in session. Or if they work during a school break or summer holidays. The minimum wage rate for a student is $14.10 per hour. 

2. Wilderness Guide Wage

A wilderness guide is an individual who works to guide, teach or assist people while they are busy in some other activity in a wilderness environment. A wilderness guide doesn’t include a fishing guide or a student under 18 years of age who works 28 hours every week. The minimum wage of a wilderness guide is $75.00 and this rate applies for working less than five consecutive hours per day.

3. Homeworkers Minimum Wage

A wilderness guide is an individual who works to guide, teach or assist people while they are busy in some other activity in a wilderness environment. The activities include horseback riding, wildlife viewing, hiking, etc. A wilderness guide doesn't have a fishing guide or a student under 18 who works 28 hours every week. The minimum wage of a wilderness guide is $75.00, and this rate applies for working less than five consecutive hours per day.

How does the provision of residence and food impact minimum wage?

If an employer has paid the minimum wage to the employee, the Employer can also consider the employee's room and board. The room and meals will be considered to have been paid as wages. Therefore, the Employer will pay the amount for room/board as minimum wage in this way:

1. Room (weekly)

• Private $31.70
• Non-Private $15.85
• Non-Private (domestic workers only) $0.00

2. Meals

• Each meal is $2.55
• Weekly maximum $53.55

3. Rooms and meals (weekly)

• With private room $85.25
• With non-private $69.40
• Non-Private (domestic workers only) $53.55

Let’s Wind Up!

In Canada, the minimum wage rate varies with every province and territory. The minimum wage rates may increase annually. The new rates get updated on October 1 of every year. If you are confused about minimum wage requirements, contact us now to get accurate information.