Minimum wage in Quebec now $15.75 per hour

The minimum wage in Quebec increased to $15.75 per hour on May 1, up from $15.25 per hour.

This year’s increase will benefit some 200,700 employees, including 111,200 women.

In a press release on Wednesday morning, Quebec Labour Minister Jean Boulet says this 3.28 per cent increase is higher than the 2.5 per cent inflation forecast for the 2024-2025 fiscal year.

“With this increase in the minimum wage, more than 200,000 wage earners, the majority of them women, will be able to see their incomes rise. By setting the minimum wage rates for 2024-2025 in this way, the government is once again aiming to support the individuals and families who need it most. Our approach is always to find the right balance between the needs of employees and those of businesses, to bring the best possible benefits to all of Quebec.”

The 3.28 per cent increase also applies to the minimum wage payable to tipped employees, which rises to $12.60 per hour, as well as to employees assigned exclusively, during a pay period, to picking raspberries or strawberries. The minimum wage payable increases to $4.68 per kilogram for raspberry pickers and $1.25 per kilogram for strawberry pickers.

“Over the past few years, government policy on the minimum wage has aimed to achieve a ratio of 50 per cent between this wage and the average hourly wage. After reaching this threshold in 2023, the ratio should reach 50.8 per cent with this new increase,” said the Ministry of Labour.

The Canadian Federation of Independent Business said the increase is moderate, but noted that it still represents an additional income of nearly $1,200 per year for each minimum wage employee.

Since 2019, the government has raised the minimum wage from $12.00 to $15.75, corresponding to an increase of $3.75 (or 31.25 per cent).

-With files from The Canadian Press