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Know Your Rights

Understand your workplace rights, minimum wage, and employment standards in each province.

ProvinceWageEffectiveNotes
Ontario$17.60/hrOct 1, 2025Reviewed annually. Liquor servers same rate.
British Columbia$17.85/hrJun 1, 2025Adjusted annually on June 1 by CPI.
Alberta$15.00/hrOct 1, 2018No scheduled increase. Students under 18: $13.00/hr.
Quebec$16.10/hrMay 1, 2025Tipped employees: $12.90/hr.
Manitoba$16.00/hrOct 1, 2025Adjusted annually based on CPI and median wage.
Saskatchewan$15.35/hrOct 1, 2025Indexed annually to CPI.
Nova Scotia$16.50/hrOct 1, 2025Reviewed annually. New rate effective Oct 1, 2025.
New Brunswick$15.65/hrApr 1, 2025Indexed to CPI.
Newfoundland & Labrador$16.00/hrApr 1, 2025Reviewed annually.
Prince Edward Island$16.50/hrOct 1, 2025Reviewed annually on April 1.
Yukon$17.94/hrApr 1, 2025Indexed to CPI annually.
Northwest Territories$16.95/hrSep 1, 2025Reviewed by the Employment Standards Board.
Nunavut$19.75/hrSep 1, 2025Highest minimum wage in Canada. Reflects high cost of living.

Overtime pay is typically 1.5x your regular wage after a set threshold. Rules vary by province:

ProvinceWeekly ThresholdRateDaily OT
Ontario44 hours/week1.5x regular payNo daily overtime threshold
British Columbia40 hours/week1.5x after 8 hrs/day; 2x after 12 hrs/dayAfter 8 hours per day
Alberta44 hours/week1.5x regular payAfter 8 hours per day
Quebec40 hours/week1.5x regular payNo daily overtime threshold
Manitoba40 hours/week1.5x regular payAfter 8 hours per day
Saskatchewan40 hours/week1.5x after 8 hrs/dayAfter 8 hours per day
Nova Scotia48 hours/week1.5x regular payNo daily overtime threshold
New Brunswick44 hours/week1.5x regular payNo daily overtime threshold
Newfoundland & Labrador40 hours/week1.5x regular payNo daily overtime threshold
Prince Edward Island48 hours/week1.5x regular payNo daily overtime threshold
Yukon40 hours/week1.5x regular payAfter 8 hours per day
Northwest Territories40 hours/week1.5x regular payAfter 8 hours per day
Nunavut40 hours/week1.5x regular payAfter 8 hours per day

*Your employer cannot force you to work overtime in most cases without agreement, except in emergencies.

*Keep records of all hours worked. Your employer must also maintain accurate records.

Canada provides generous parental leave through Employment Insurance (EI). Quebec has its own program (QPIP) with higher benefits.

Ontario

Maternity: 17 weeks (birth parent)
Parental: 61-63 weeks
Total: Up to 78 weeks combined
Benefits: EI provides 55% of earnings (standard) or 33% (extended). Some employers offer top-up.

British Columbia

Maternity: 17 weeks (birth parent)
Parental: 61-63 weeks
Total: Up to 78 weeks combined
Benefits: EI provides 55% of earnings (standard) or 33% (extended). BC has no mandatory employer top-up.

Alberta

Maternity: 16 weeks (birth parent)
Parental: 62 weeks
Total: Up to 78 weeks combined
Benefits: EI benefits apply. Alberta has no mandatory employer top-up.

Quebec

Maternity: 18 weeks at 70% (QPIP)
Parental: 32 weeks (can be shared)
Total: Up to 50+ weeks
Benefits: Quebec Parental Insurance Plan (QPIP) provides higher benefits than EI (up to 75%). Separate from federal EI.

Manitoba

Maternity: 17 weeks (birth parent)
Parental: 63 weeks
Total: Up to 78 weeks combined
Benefits: EI provides 55% of earnings. No mandatory employer top-up.

Saskatchewan

Maternity: 19 weeks (birth parent)
Parental: 63 weeks
Total: Up to 78 weeks combined
Benefits: EI benefits apply. Saskatchewan provides 19 weeks maternity (2 more than federal minimum).

Nova Scotia

Maternity: 17 weeks (birth parent)
Parental: 61-63 weeks
Total: Up to 78 weeks combined
Benefits: EI benefits apply. No mandatory employer top-up.

New Brunswick

Maternity: 17 weeks (birth parent)
Parental: 61-63 weeks
Total: Up to 78 weeks combined
Benefits: EI benefits apply. No mandatory employer top-up.

Newfoundland & Labrador

Maternity: 17 weeks (birth parent)
Parental: 61-63 weeks
Total: Up to 78 weeks combined
Benefits: EI benefits apply. No mandatory employer top-up.

Prince Edward Island

Maternity: 17 weeks (birth parent)
Parental: 61-63 weeks
Total: Up to 78 weeks combined
Benefits: EI benefits apply. No mandatory employer top-up.

Yukon

Maternity: 17 weeks (birth parent)
Parental: 63 weeks
Total: Up to 78 weeks combined
Benefits: EI benefits apply. Yukon government employees may receive top-up.

Northwest Territories

Maternity: 17 weeks (birth parent)
Parental: 63 weeks
Total: Up to 78 weeks combined
Benefits: EI benefits apply. GNWT employees receive top-up.

Nunavut

Maternity: 17 weeks (birth parent)
Parental: 63 weeks
Total: Up to 78 weeks combined
Benefits: EI benefits apply. GN employees receive top-up benefits.

Both parents can share parental leave. You must have worked 600+ insurable hours to qualify for EI benefits.

Under Canadian law, every worker has three fundamental rights:

Right to Know

About hazards in your workplace. Employers must provide training and information about dangerous materials and processes.

Right to Participate

In health and safety decisions through joint committees or a health and safety representative.

Right to Refuse

Unsafe work without fear of punishment. If you believe work is dangerous, you can refuse and your employer cannot fire or discipline you.

If you are injured at work, report it immediately. Every province has a workers' compensation board that covers medical costs and lost wages. You do not need to be a citizen or permanent resident to file a claim.

  • +Minimum notice for termination: Employers must give written notice or pay in lieu. In Ontario, 1 week per year of service up to 8 weeks.
  • +Vacation: Minimum 2 weeks paid vacation after 1 year (3 weeks after 5 years in most provinces).
  • +Public holidays: You are entitled to paid statutory holidays (9-10 per year depending on province).
  • +Pay frequency: Employers must pay you regularly (at least semi-monthly in most provinces) with a detailed pay stub.
  • +No illegal deductions: Employers cannot deduct from your wages for breakage, cash shortages, or customer theft without written agreement.
  • +Immigration status: Regardless of your immigration status, you have the same workplace rights as any Canadian worker.

Information on this page reflects laws and data as of March 2026. Laws change frequently - always verify with official government sources or a legal professional. This page does not constitute legal advice.