Living Wage Advocates Say Northern Need Falls $3/hr Short of Minimum Wage

Local living wage rises to $21.85 as minimum wage gap widens

Local workers are still falling behind, despite recent increases to Ontario's minimum wage.

Living wage advocates say Northern need falls $3/hr short of minimum wage

According to the Ontario Living Wage Network's 2026 report, Northern Ontario’s living wage is set at $21.35 per hour, creating a $3.40 hourly shortfall against Ontario’s statutory minimum wage of $17.95

Amid national affordability crisis, northern Ontario's living wage rises to $21.35 an hour

People in northern Ontario need to earn $21.35 an hour to afford basic necessities, according to the latest calculation from the Ontario Living Wage Network, released Monday as part of Living Wage Week. A living wage is what's needed to cover expenses such as housing, food, transportation and child care, the network says.