At the start of this month, Canada’s federal in Rome increased from $15.55 to $16.65. This move was pretty impactful because the ESDC, i.e., Employment and Social Development Canada, recorded that around 26,000 working Canadians earn less than $15.55 per hour. 

In addition, the minimum wage is said to increase on a federal level. Thus, Canadians in more than half of the country’s provinces will soon see a rise in the minimum wage rates. 

The anticipated minimum wage rate is as follows: 

  • Ontario: From $ 15.50 to $16.55 
  • Manitoba: From $14.15 to $15.30
  • Saskatchewan: From $13.00 to $14.00
  • Nova Scotia: From $14.50 to $15.00
  • Labrador & Newfoundland: From $14.50 to $15.00
  • Prince Edward Island: From $14.50 to $15.00 

What’s The Meaning Of These Changes For Immigrants?

Craig Pickthorne, the communications coordinator at the Ontario Living Age Network, says that Immigrants are one of the three groups, alongside women and equity-seeking groups. However, all these groups find themselves at the bottom scale of the wage spectrum. 

Therefore, because the federal minimum wage increases from earlier this month affect just the employees in federally regulated occupations, the need to increase the national minimum wage rates will definitely benefit a prominent number of new Canadian immigrants. 

Protection Of Canadian Newcomers By Universal Labor Laws

While Canadian immigrants are typically over-presented in low-wage professions, it is integral to understand that they are still given the same rights as other workers/ employees in this country. 

Canada’s Labor Code outlines that permanent inhabitants, temporary international workers, international students, and all other employed people should perform their jobs in a safe environment and be compensated for their work. 

In addition, employers across Canada must provide employees, including newcomers, with proper job training, healthcare services, information pertaining to their rights, & a signed copy of their employment contract. 

Note: The employment agreement must include all the details. It must be offered to the employees on or prior to their first day on the job. 

Similarly, Canadian employers must make sure that they do not disrespect or mistreat employees in any of the ways mentioned below: 

  • Forcing workers to perform unsafe work or assign a task that is not outlined in their agreement. 
  • Forcing sick/ injured employees to work.
  • Taking away employees’ work permits or passports.
  • Making changes in the employees’ immigration status.
  • Threading them of deportation. 
  • Forcing employees who don’t have such conditions in the contract to do overtime. 

Reporting Employer Misconduct 

Canadian workers and immigrants may be reluctant to report wrongdoing in the workplace out of fear of retaliation or losing their jobs. However, all employees need to understand that territorial as well as provincial workplace health and security offices exist to help them report these problems. 

For instance, Ontario, the destination province for Canadian immigrants, helps people report serious and urgent concerns via phone.