Effective May 1, 2025, the minimum wage in Quebec will increase from $15.75 to $16.10 per hour, marking a 2.2% adjustment designed to keep pace with local economic conditions. This modest boost is expected to put an extra $484 a year into the pockets of roughly 217,400 low-wage workers across the province, nearly 55% of whom are women.
What’s Changing?
- General Rate: Moves up by 35 cents, from $15.75 to $16.10 /hr.
- Tipped Positions: In jobs where tips are part of take-home pay—like restaurants and bars—the base rate will climb from $12.60 to $12.90 /hr.
- Agricultural Piece Rates:
- Raspberry pickers: Pay per kilo increases from $4.68 to $4.78.
- Strawberry pickers: Pay per kilo rises from $1.25 to $1.28.
Why the Increase Is Modest
Quebec’s goal is to keep the minimum wage at roughly 50% of the province’s average hourly earnings. With this change, the ratio edges up slightly to about 50.5%. Policymakers have opted for a tempered rise in response to ongoing pressures in retail and hospitality, where many small businesses continue to face tight margins.
How Quebec Compares
Although Quebec’s new rate represents progress, it still trails several other jurisdictions:
- The federal minimum stands at $17.75 /hr (effective April 2026).
- British Columbia will lift its floor to $17.85 /hr on June 1, 2025.
- Ontario plans a jump to $17.60 /hr on October 1, 2025.
Other provinces such as Yukon and Nunavut also offer higher starting wages, placing Quebec below the national median.
What It Means for Workers and Businesses
For frontline employees in retail, hospitality and agriculture, even a small hourly gain can cover essentials like groceries or transportation. At the same time, employers—especially in sectors still recovering from pandemic-era disruptions—welcome a gradual approach that helps manage payroll costs without stalling hiring.
With Quebec’s minimum standard due for this change in early May, workers and employers alike should review their payroll systems and budgets now to ensure a smooth transition.
