The revised living wage rates for 2024 for the province’s ten largest regions have been released by the Ontario Living Wage Rates in the Toronto Region Network. These figures demonstrate the huge gap between Ontario’s minimum wage and the living wage, emphasizing the financial difficulties that many workers encounter.
What is a Living Wage, and how is it determined?
A living wage is the money a worker needs to pay for necessities like food, housing, transportation, and medical care without relying on government assistance.
Unlike the minimum salary set by the government, a living wage is based on the true cost of living in a certain place, making it a more appropriate approach to determine financial stability.
The estimate accounts for the cost of living in the area and incorporates elements like:
- Housing costs
- Costs of transportation
- Child care and care for dependents
- Food and other necessities
The objective is to guarantee that workers can cover their basic costs and maintain a respectable standard of living.
Living Wage Rates in the Toronto Region
For people in Toronto and the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) to afford basic needs including housing, food, and transportation, they must make at least $26 per hour.
The provincial minimum wage, raised on October 1, 2024, is $17.20 per hour, which is 51% more than this.
The living wage in the Toronto area was $25.05 in 2023, a notable increase caused by rising living expenses.
Full List of Ontario Living Wage Rates for 2023
The highest living wage increase was in the Southwest, where it increased by 6.4% from $18.65 in 2023 to $19.85 in 2024.
Below is a summary of each region’s living wage rates:
| Region | 2024 | 2023 | % Increase |
|---|---|---|---|
| Greater Toronto Area | $26.00 | $25.05 | 3.8% |
| Grey Bruce Perth Huron Simcoe | $23.05 | $22.75 | 1.3% |
| Ottawa | $22.80 | $21.95 | 3.9% |
| East | $21.65 | $20.60 | 5.1% |
| Dufferin Guelph Wellington Waterloo | $21.30 | $20.90 | 1.9% |
| Hamilton | $21.30 | $20.80 | 2.4% |
| Brant Haldimand Norfolk Niagara | $20.90 | $20.35 | 2.7% |
| North | $20.30 | $19.80 | 2.5% |
| Southwest | $19.85 | $18.65 | 6.4% |
| London Elgin Oxford | $19.50 | $18.85 | 3.4% |
Breakdown of Ontario Minimum Wage Rates
| Minimum Wage Type | Hourly Rate (Effective Oct 1, 2024) |
|---|---|
| General Minimum Wage | $17.20 |
| Student Minimum Wage (under 18) | $16.20 |
| Liquor Servers Minimum Wage | $17.20 (same as general minimum wage) |
| Homeworkers Wage (remote workers) | $18.90 |
| Hunting, Fishing, and Wilderness Guides | $86 (less than 5 hours) / $172.05 (5+ hours) |
Workers in Ontario struggle to bridge the gap between government-set pay and the actual cost of living, as this comprehensive guide to the province’s living and minimum wages reveals.
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FAQs About Ontario’s Minimum and Living Wages
When will the minimum wage in Ontario rise?
The minimum wage in Ontario is reviewed annually and modified to reflect inflation. Any modifications become operative on October 1.
For what reason does the living wage surpass the minimum wage?
The minimum wage is a legally mandated baseline that does not take into consideration local economic realities, whereas the living wage represents the true cost of living in a particular area.
In terms of living wages, how does Ontario stack up against other provinces?
Living wage rates in Ontario are among the highest in Canada, especially in the GTA and Ottawa. Because of comparable pressures from the cost of living, other provinces, such as British Columbia, also report high living wages.
What occurs if the living wage is not paid by an employer?
Legally, employers are only obligated to pay the minimum wage. To better support their workers, some companies, however, voluntarily implement living wage rules.
How frequently are rates for living wages updated?
Every year, the Ontario Living Wage Network revises living wage rates to account for shifts in regional expenses and economic circumstances.
Are workers making minimum wage eligible for government assistance?
In order to help meet their needs, minimum wage workers may be eligible for government programs including the Ontario Child Benefit, housing assistance, and other financial aid.
