Quebec's Minimum Wage to Rise to $16.10 Per Hour on May 1

Quebecs Minimum Wage to Rise to 16.10 Per Hour on May 1

Quebec's Minimum Wage to Rise to $16.10 Per Hour on May 1

Big news for workers in Quebec! Starting May 1, the minimum wage will increase from $15.75 to $16.10 per hour. This 2.2% boost means an extra $484 per year for those earning minimum wage. Around 217,400 employees—mainly in retail and food service—will benefit, including 118,400 women.

Quebec’s Minister of Labour, Jean Boulet, describes this adjustment as a careful balance. On one side, it helps low-wage workers maintain their purchasing power. On the other, it considers the ability of businesses, especially small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), to afford the increase. Given today’s economic uncertainty, where layoffs and investment slowdowns are common, the government aims to support workers without putting their jobs at risk.

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With this increase, the minimum wage will represent 50.52% of the province’s average hourly wage, aligning with the government’s target of maintaining a 50% ratio. Boulet also pointed out that the minimum wage has risen significantly over the past few years. Since 2019, it has climbed from $12 to $16.10—an increase of 34.2%—outpacing the 25% inflation rate over the same period.

For tipped workers, the wage floor will rise by $0.30 per hour, bringing their minimum pay to $12.90. However, despite these adjustments, Quebec still lags behind Ontario, where the minimum wage is currently $17.20 per hour.

This increase follows the government’s standard practice of announcing wage hikes several months in advance, giving employers time to prepare. While many advocacy groups have been pushing for a $20 minimum wage, this latest adjustment shows a gradual approach to supporting workers while maintaining business stability.

So, what do you think? Is this enough to help Quebec’s lowest-paid workers, or should the government aim higher?

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