The new rate of $11.60 per hour for minimum wage in the province went into effect Oct. 1, surpassing the existing rate of $11.40 per hour. The scheduled increase was announced back on Apr. 1, 2017.

Minimum wage in the province will rise again on Jan. 1, 2018 to $14 per hour with another rise to $15 per hour set for Jan. 1, 2018.

The student minimum wage is now $10.90 per hour (up from $10.70). A student is defined as someone under the age of 18 who works 28 hours a week or less when school is in session, or during a school break or summer holidays.

If the change to the minimum wage rate comes into effect partway through an employee’s pay period, the pay period will be treated as if it were two separate pay periods and the employee is entitled to at least the minimum wage that applies in each of those periods.

For an employee whose pay is based completely or partly on commission, it must amount to at least the minimum wage for each hour the employee works.

When an employee who regularly works more than three hours a day is required to report to work but works less than three hours, he or she must be paid whichever is highest: three hours at minimum wage or their regular wage for the time worked.

For more information on employment standards in Ontario, visit labour.gov.on.ca.