Starting from June 01, 2025 BC will witness general minimum wage increase from $17.40/hour to $17.85/hour this will reflect the 2.6% inflation based-adjustment. BC has legislation in place to keep up the minimum wage increases with the previous year’s average inflation rate.
Affected Workforce
This particular wage increase will apply to:
- Resident caretakers
- Live-in home-support workers
- Live-in camp leaders
- App based delivery and ride hailing service workers
Agricultural and hand harvesters will witness the 2.6% increase in minimum piece rates on December 31, 2025.
In 2024, near around 130,000 workers in BC earned minimum wage or less.
Ontario Minimum Wage Hike
Ontario will witness increase in its minimum wage from $17.20/hour to $17.60/hour on Oct 01, 2025, a 2.4 % increase based on Ontario CPI.
For workers this means with higher minimum wage rates and they will be able to spend more to keep up with the inflation. For Employers they have to prepare the updated payroll system, adjust the work contracts to reflect shift rates according to new laws.
Inflation Linked Minimum Wage
Canadian provinces are selecting the model of inflation linked minimum wage increase. This helps minimum wage keeps pace with the rise of living expenses and avoid any sudden hikes. It helps both workers and employers. This model offers certainty for workers, stability for economy and predictability for employers.
How to Shift from Minimum Wage Jobs to Higher Wage Jobs
There are many international graduates who continue to work in minimum wage jobs as they haven’t selected their courses wisely plus they lack the in demand market skills required by employers. Canada now needs healthcare and trades sector workers. Take these courses such as Nursing, Dentistry, Physiotherapy, Medicine, Lab Technology and more. In Trades you can target Plumbing, Welding, Carpentry and more. Here are some tips for everyone who wants to land high paying jobs.
Invest in Education and Certification
- Look for community college programs or short term certifications in healthcare and Trades like:
- Healthcare( PSW,ECEA, Pharmacy Assistant)
- Skilled Trades(Plumbing, Welding)
- Tech( coding bootcamps, data analytics)
- Leverage government programs
- Explore Canada Job Grant, Second Career Ontario, or Work BC programs.
- Improve soft skills.
- Work on your communication, leadership, and problem solving skills.
- Network and use career centers.
- Use LinkedIn, local employment agencies and community job fairs.