Canada Raises Minimum Wage To $17.30 Starting April 1

Indians studying and living in Canada will see some relief amid high living expenses as the Canadian government raised the Federal Minimum Wage Rate for those working in the private sector. Starting April 1, Canada has raised the minimum wage from 17.30 Canadian dollars to $17.75 per hour for those working in the federally regulated private sector.

This increase in the minimum wage rate has been revised individually state-wise, and the higher rate will be applicable. Employers have been instructed to update their payroll systems and ensure that all employees, including interns, are paid at the upgraded rate. The federal minimum wage rate is adjusted on April 1 each year based on Canada’s annual average Consumer Price Index relative to the previous calendar year. This raise in the minimum wage rate will be welcome as some living in Canada faced a crisis after foodbanks returned international students due to an excessive demand placed on them.

This hike of 2.4% in the minimum wage will also help Indians. Indians, who make up 3.7% of the Canadian population, have a lot to benefit from this raise. Indian workers in Canada constitute 22% of the Canadian temporary workforce or gig economy in 2024. According to a report, the majority of the gig workers in Canada are immigrants and from 2005 to 2020, the share has grown from 5.05% to 10.0% of all Canadian workers.

Not just workers, even Indian students are set to benefit from this hike as it not only involves all employees but also interns. Canada is considered as a top destination to pursue higher studies in the fields of computer science, business, engineering, health sciences and IT by Indian students and the Indian workforce therein is highly represented in the Information Technology (IT), engineering, healthcare, business and finance sectors.