What to know
- Ontario’s minimum wage rose to $17.95/hour on Oct. 1, but students under 18 only receive $16.90/hour, creating a $1.05 gap.
- Many locals argue the pay gap is unfair, with some saying students often have real financial responsibilities like rent and bills.
- Advocacy groups and residents say the minimum wage hike isn’t enough to keep up with rising living costs, and question why student wages are still lower.
- Some point out that students often do the same work as adults, and believe paying them less is outdated and ignores their need to save for education or living expenses.
Ontario’s new minimum and student wages are increasing today. But the $1.05 gap between student and adult minimum wages remains, sparking debate: in 2026, should students still be paid less for the same work?
On Oct. 1, Ontario’s minimum wage increased 35 cents from $17.60 to $17.95. The student minimum wage went up 30 cents, from $16.60 to $16.90.
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The Workers Action Centre says the increase is not enough in an Instagram post.
“We know this is not enough. The yearly minimum wage cost-of-living adjustments we won in 2014 lag behind what workers need,” the caption reads in part.
So Now Toronto asked residents for their thoughts on the minimum-to-student wage pay gap, and whether they believe student wages should still exist.
‘I don’t really understand why that’s even a thing’: This local says student wage needs to go
Toronto resident Wuu H. says student wages shouldn’t exist.
“People are already financially struggling, especially living in Toronto… So to have a student wage that is lower than minimum wage… I don’t really understand why that’s even a thing,” she told Now Toronto.
Wuu adds that many people under 18 still have expenses like rent or their own phone bills, so that $1.05 gap matters.
“You have to understand that there are multiple spaces that people are in. So to lower the wage just because people may have less expenses is kind of oblivious and a little bit ignorant,” she said.
‘They should be paid equally: This Torontonian advocates removing student wage
Toronto resident Alfred T. says students and adults should be making the same minimum wage.
“They should be paid equally. Just because you’re a student doesn’t mean you’re any less than an adult,” Alfred told Now Toronto.
He added that whether someone lives with their parents, with a single parent, alone, or in any other situation, their status doesn’t matter — they’re doing the same work as everyone else in that job.
‘They’re going to be saving up for their education’: This local says it’s important students get paid minimum wage
Toronto resident Mike T. says students need to save up more than anything if they choose to pursue post-secondary education.
“They’re students, they’re going to be saving up for their education… They are making Canada better overall by getting a post-secondary education,” Mike said.
“If one person is doing a job that’s paid minimum wage and another person is doing the same job that’s paid student wage, that’s not fair,” he added.
