WINDSOR

Ontario increasing minimum wage this fall

CTV Windsor Published Thursday, March 19, 2015 9:58AM EDT

The Canadian dollar was down about two-thirds of a US cent Wednesday as the Bank of Canada said it was keeping its key rate unchanged at one per cent amid expectations of weaker than expected economic growth. (Jonathan Hayward / THE CANADIAN PRESS)

Text:

The Ontario government is raising the general minimum wage from $11 to $11.25 per hour.

The change will take effect Oct. 1, 2015.

Minimum wage rates for jobs in special categories, such as liquor servers, homeworkers, and students are also increasing at the same time.

The increase is due to the recent changes to the Employment Standards Act, 2000 (ESA). As recommended by the Minimum Wage Advisory Panel, minimum-wage increases are tied to Ontario's Consumer Price Index (CPI).

This will be the ninth minimum wage increase since 2003, when the minimum wage was $6.85.

Minimum wage increases are to be announced by April 1 each year, and will be effective on October 1 of the same year.