Information checked to 2 October 2026. Canada has no single table of minimum wage, overtime, vacation and dismissal compensation for every job. First identify federal, provincial or territorial jurisdiction, then check employee status, industry exceptions, the contract and any collective agreement.
Banking, telecommunications, postal work and interprovincial or international transport may be federally regulated. Most restaurant, retail and ordinary office jobs are regulated where the work is performed. A job title or head-office address does not decide jurisdiction; start with the industry scope in Federal labour standards. Federally regulated industries
Minimum wages depend on jurisdiction, job category and effective date. The federal minimum is C$18.15 an hour from 1 April 2026; federally regulated work must use a higher provincial or territorial rate where applicable. Ontario’s general minimum is C$17.95 from 1 October 2026; student and other special rates have separate conditions. Check other jurisdictions individually rather than treating these rates as one national hourly wage. Federal minimum wage Ontario minimum wage Canada minimum-wage database
Overtime cannot be decided from a weekly total alone. Federal standards generally use eight hours a day or 40 hours a week, with averaging, time-off and industry exceptions. In Ontario, most employees generally receive 1.5 times regular pay after 44 hours a week, subject to exemptions and written averaging arrangements. Read federal hours and overtime separately from Ontario overtime pay.
Vacation time and vacation pay are related but distinct minimum standards. In Ontario, most covered employees with under five years of service generally receive at least two weeks and 4% vacation pay; after five years, generally three weeks and 6%. Unpaid vacation pay remains due when employment ends. Review the exceptions and calculations in Ontario vacation rules.
Working notice, termination pay, statutory severance pay and common-law damages are different. Ontario notice or pay in lieu depends on service and other conditions. Statutory severance has additional thresholds, including at least five years of service and an employer payroll or mass-closure test. Contracts, collective agreements and common law may provide more than the statutory minimum; see Ontario termination rules. Ontario severance pay
For a wage or dismissal dispute, keep schedules, time records, pay statements, the contract, written notices and the last day worked, then use the employment-standards body for the correct jurisdiction. Contract limits, common-law notice, discrimination and union rights may require separate legal or union advice.