Canada’s Federal Minimum Wage Set to Increase April 1st
Federally regulated workers will see another boost to their paycheques this spring as the Government of Canada raises the federal minimum wage to $18.15 per hour on April 1st, 2026. The increase—up from the current $17.75—is part of an annual cost‑of‑living adjustment that reflects the national inflation rate.
The federal minimum wage has climbed steadily in recent years. It rose to $17.30 in April 2024, then to $17.75 in 2025, representing a cumulative increase of 85 cents over two years. The upcoming adjustment continues the trend of inflation‑indexed changes intended to maintain purchasing power for workers in federally regulated sectors.
The federal rate applies to workplaces such as air and rail transport, telecommunications, banking, and interprovincial trucking. Employees living in provinces or territories with higher minimum wages will continue to receive the higher local rate, as required by law.
