TORONTO — Workers in low-paying jobs will see a modest increase in their pay starting this month.
The legislated minimum wage in Ontario goes from the previous rate of $16.55 per hour to $17.20 per hour as of Oct. 1.
The 3.9 per cent annualized wage increase is based on the Consumer Price Index for the province.
It means people working 40 hours a week will get up to $1,355 more in the coming year.
Last year there were 935,000 wage-earners across Ontario making $17.20 an hour or less.
About 35 per cent of those in this category are employed in retail trade, while 24 per cent are in accommodation and food services.
Under legislation, the province's minimum wage goes up each year according to the increase in the CPI.
British Columbia currently has the country's highest provincial minimum wage at $17.40 per hour.
