According to the Ontario government, there were 935,600 workers earning $17.20 per hour or less in 2023. A worker earning the general minimum wage and working 40 hours per week will see an annual pay increase of up to $1,355, the government added.

The legislated minimum wage in Ontario goes from the previous rate of $16.55 per hour to $17.20 per hour as of Oct. 1. The 3.9 per cent annualized wage increase is based on the Consumer Price Index for the province.