The Ontario Provincial Government has prescribed an increase to the following minimum wage rates, effective October 1, 2017:

• General minimum wage will change from $11.40 to $11.60 per hour
• Student minimum wage (under 18 years of age) will change from $10.70 to $10.90 per hour

Employee salary records in the HRIS with a current hourly rate of less than $11.40 (or $10.70 for students) will be updated to reflect the new minimum wage rate effective October 1, 2017 and the change will take effect on the applicable pay period containing October 1 for Staff, Faculty and Affiliate pays.

Please note any employment contracts commencing on or after October 1, 2017 must also comply with the new minimum rates.

Departments should be aware that the Ontario Government has proposed further increases to the minimum wage. These changes are included as part of several significant changes proposed to the Ontario Employment Standards Act as encompassed within Bill 148. This Bill is currently undergoing its second reading in the Ontario legislature and is not yet passed into law. Proposed rates of increase are as follows:

• Effective January 1, 2018:
  • General minimum wage will increase to $14.00 per hour
  • Student minimum wage (under 18 years of age, if weekly hours do not exceed 28 or if working during a school holiday) will increase to $13.15 per hour

• Effective January 1, 2019:
  • General minimum wage will increase to $15.00 per hour
  • Student minimum wage (under 18 years of age, if weekly hours do not exceed 28 or if working during a school holiday) will increase to $14.10 per hour

If you have any questions, please contact your Human Resources Representative. Contact information can be found at the following links:

Faculty of Health Sciences HR Office: https://fhs.mcmaster.ca/hr/FHSHRTeam.htm

HR Service Centre: http://www.workingatmcmaster.ca/link.php?link=hrservices:hrservcent

Employee and Labour Relations: http://www.workingatmcmaster.ca/contacts/index.php