Lesson & Activities - Minimum Wage In Canada - 2025
- Learn English with NETOL
- Nov 7
- 6 min read
Updated: 2 days ago
LESSON & ACTIVITIES
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✦ This lesson includes these sections:
☞ CONVERSATION QUESTIONS - Topic Introduction
☞ VOCABULARY - Important English Words
☞ PART 1 - Minimum Wage In Canada
☞ PART 2 - Minimum Wages Across Canada
☞ PART 3 - When Does The Minimum Wage Increase?
☞ PART 4 - Minimum Wage In Ontario
☞ LISTENING - Audio File - Minimum Wage In Canada
☞ ACTIVITY - Ontario Minimum Wage Chart
☞ POLL - The Minimum Wages In Canada
☞ QUIZ - Test Your Knowledge
✦ Click on each section from above to see it ↑
✦ Click on each title from below to get back here ↓
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Minimum Wage In Canada
2025
Speaking Activity - Conversation Questions
Instructions:
Listen to and read the conversation questions.
Practice your speaking by answering each question out loud.
See some possible answers to the conversation questions by clicking the side arrows next to each question.
Conversation Questions
1. What is minimum wage?
Minimum wage is the lowest hourly pay that employers must pay their workers.
2. Who sets the minimum wage in Canada?
Each province or territory sets the minimum wage.
3. Do you agree with having minimum wage in Canada? Why or why not?
Yes. I agree with having a minimum wage in Canada because it gives workers fair pay and protection from unfair employers.
4. Do all provinces and territories in Canada have the same minimum hourly wage?
No, provinces and territories do not have the same minimum hourly wage.
5. When does Ontario usually change the minimum wage?
Ontario usually changes the minimum wage every year on October 1st.
Writing Activity - Pre-Reading Vocabulary
Instructions:
Get a pencil and paper.
Copy the words from below.
Look up the definitions of the words online.
Get to know the definitions of each word
Important Words - Minimum Wage In Canada
minimum
hourly
fair
wage
rate
raise
cost
employer
employee
law
government
base pay
Reading Activity - Minimum Wage In Canada
Instructions:
Read the following passage.
Thereafter, listen to the audio file.
Note: Reading out loud when learning a new language is important because it helps you practice your pronunciation. When you speak the words, you can hear how they sound, and this will improve your speaking skills.
Minimum Wage In Canada
What Is Minimum Wage?
Minimum wage is the lowest legal pay that an employer must pay an employee. Workers must not be paid less than the minimum wage. This includes full-time workers, part-time workers, and casual workers. It also includes workers who are paid by the hour or by commission. Minimum wage helps ensure that workers receive a basic income for their work.
Employees Must Pay Their Employers Minimum Wage
Employers must follow minimum wage laws. They must pay employees at least the minimum wage for the province or territory where the employee works. This rule protects workers and prevents unfair pay. If an employer pays less than the minimum wage, the employee can make a complaint to the local labour office.
***If you or someone you know is paid less than the minimum wage in your province or territory, contact your local labour office. They can tell you how to file a complaint.
Minimum Wages Across Canada's Provinces & Territories
Canada has 10 provinces and 3 territories. The provinces and territories across Canada have different wages. Each province and territory sets its own minimum wage. This is because the cost of living is different in each province and territory.
Take a look at the map of Canada, which shows the current minimum wages across the country:
When Does The Minimum Wage Increase Across Canada?
There is no single date when the minimum wage is increased in Canada. Most provinces and territories review the minimum wage once a year. Governments look at prices and the economy, and they raise the minimum wage when costs rise.
Minimum Wage In Ontario, Canada
In Ontario, the minimum wage rate changes every year on October 1st. Ontario sets its own minimum wage by provincial law. The government looks at housing, food, and other costs when deciding how much to raise the Ontario minimum hourly wage.
There are three minimum wage categories in Ontario that apply to different types of workers.
General Minimum Wage:
This is the standard minimum wage that applies to most employees in a province or territory. It is the lowest hourly rate that employers can legally pay their workers. Each province or territory sets its own rate. It is designed to make sure that workers receive a basic level of income for their labor.
Student Minimum Wage:
Not all provinces or territories set a student minimum wage. Ontario does set a student minimum wage. Student minimum wage is a set hourly wage that is given to young workers or students who work in the summer or part-time during school. In Ontario, this rate is lower than the general minimum wage. The student minimum wage is there to help students get jobs, learn work skills, and gain work experience.
Homeworkers Minimum Wage:
The Homeworkers minimum wage is for people who work at home. They may sew, assemble products, or do piecework. This wage is often higher than the general minimum wage. It helps cover extra costs. It makes sure homeworkers get fair pay. Homeworkers may not have the same workplace protections and benefits as other employees.
Concluding Thoughts About Minimum Wage In Canada
In conclusion, minimum wage gives people a basic, steady pay for their work. It helps workers and their families pay for food, housing, and bills. The rules and rates are different in each province and territory and can change when costs go up. Knowing the rules can help you get fair pay and protect your rights.
Listening Activity - Minimum Wage In Canada
Instructions:
Press the play buttons below.
Listen to the audio file.
Use the reading from above to follow along with the audio file.
Minimum Wage In Canada
Reading & Writing Activity - Matching Exercise
Instructions:
Get a pencil and paper.
Make a list from 1 to 14.
Read each question.
Use the Ontario Minimum Wage Chart from below to decide what the answer is, and write your answers on your paper.
Check your answers by clicking on the side arrows next to each question.
Ontario Minimum Wage Chart
Question #1: Which province does the chart give the minimum wage for?
Ontario
Question #2: The minimum wage for homeworkers in Ontario on October 1st, 2025 was?
$19.35
Question #3: The current general minimum wage in Ontario is?
$17.60
Question #4: The general minimum wage in Ontario on September 30th, 2024 was?
$16.55
Question #5: The minimum wage for students in Ontario as of October 1, 2025 is?
$16.60
Question #6: The general minimum wage on September 30th, 2025 was?
$17.20
Question #7: The minimum wage for students in Ontario on January 1, 2025 was?
$16.20
Question #8: Melania is an adult working for minimum wage in Ontario. It is September 2024. How much does she make per hour?
$16.55
Question #9: Mark is a 16-year-old student working for minimum wage in Ontario. It is March 2025. How much does he make per hour?
$16.20
Question #10: Brice is a 17-year-old student working for minimum wage in Ontario. It is October 2025. How much does he make per hour?
$16.60
Question #11: Jenn is an adult working for minimum wage in Ontario. It is December 2025. How much does she make per hour?
$17.60
Question #12: How much has the general minimum wage gone up this year?
40 cents
Question #13: How much has the student minimum wage gone up in Ontario this year?
40 cents
Question #14: How much has the homeworkers' wage gone up in Ontario this year?
45 cents
Take Our Poll - Minimum Wages In Canada
Do you think that the minimum wages across Canada are fair wages?
Yes!
No!
I am not sure.
Test Your Knowledge By Taking Our Quiz
Instructions:
Read the 10 multiple-choice questions from below.
Answer each question.
Click the Submit button when you are done.
Click the View Score button to see how you did on the quiz.
Click below for a reading without the accompanying activities:
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