Minimum Wage in Quebec 2026: Current Rates, Future Changes, Key Rules

As of May 1, 2025, the general minimum wage in Quebec is set at $16.10 per hour, increasing to $16.60 on May 1, 2026. This rate is established by the Quebec government under the Act respecting Labour Standards and is enforced by the CNESST (Commission des normes, de l’équité, de la santé et de la sécurité du travail).

For employees who receive tips in qualifying establishments, such as restaurants, bars serving alcoholic beverages, and tourist accommodations, a separate, lower minimum wage rate of $12.90 per hour will apply, rising to $13.30 on May 1, 2026.

It is important for both employers and employees to understand how this change affects Quebec’s minimum wage rules. Therefore, this article explains current and future rates as well as key rules on who qualifies for these rates, which employees are exempt, how overtime pay is calculated, and how Quebec’s minimum wage compares to the federal minimum wage and those of other provinces.

What is the Current Minimum Wage in Quebec?

The current minimum wage in Quebec is set at $16.10 per hour, while the minimum wage for tipped employees is $12.90 per hour. In the berry-picking industry, agricultural workers are paid a minimum wage on a piecework basis.

General Minimum Wage in Quebec

The general minimum wage is set at $16.10 per hour and has been in effect since May 1, 2025. Quebec typically raises the minimum wage on May 1 each year, and the next confirmed increase, $16.60, is set for May 1, 2026. This rate applies equally to full-time, part-time, commission-based, and piece-work employees across all sectors under provincial jurisdiction, regardless of their age. 

According to the Government of Canada, minimum wage rates for young workers are the same as those for adult workers unless a jurisdiction specifies otherwise. Quebec does not have any such exemptions; as a result, Quebec does not have a lower minimum wage based on age. 

Workers who receive commission must always earn at least the minimum wage for their work. Additionally, non-cash benefits, such as the use of a company vehicle, do not count toward fulfilling the minimum wage requirement.

Minimum Wage for Tipped Employees in Quebec

Employees receiving gratuities in Quebec earn a separate minimum wage of $12.90 per hour, with all tips going directly to the worker in addition to that base wage. You are classified as a tipped employee if you regularly receive gratuities and work either full-time or part-time in one of the following types of establishments:

• A restaurant that provides table service, excluding fast-food and self-serve locations.
• An enterprise that sells, delivers, or serves meals to be eaten off the premises.
• An establishment where alcoholic beverages are sold and consumed on-site.
• A place offering tourist accommodations, including hotels and campgrounds.

If you are a tipped employee, the tips you earn belong entirely to you. Your employer must pay you at least the minimum wage, no matter how much you make in tips. If you get tips directly, you need to report them to your employer each pay period, so they can calculate your vacation and holiday pay. You also have to report all your tip income to Revenu Quebec when you file your taxes.

If your employer collects tips, they must give them to you. For example, some places add a service charge for large tables. Your employer cannot make you share your tips or force a tipping pool unless everyone involved agrees to it.

Minimum Wage for the Berry-picking Industry in Quebec

Agricultural workers who pick berries have specific piece-rate minimums: strawberry pickers earn $1.28 per kilogram, while raspberry pickers earn $4.78 per kilogram.

If a picker’s earnings are low for reasons they can’t control, like the condition of the fields or fruit, employers must supplement piece rates to guarantee workers receive at least $16.10 per hour.

However, to determine whether the conditions are truly the cause, a worker’s performance is usually compared with others’. If most pickers in the same field are still earning at or above the minimum wage, it’s assumed that the conditions are not the problem. In that case, the employer may not have to pay extra.

Source: https://www.cnesst.gouv.qc.ca/en/working-conditions/wage-and-pay/wages

Quebec Minimum Wage Rules and Key Regulations

The Act respecting labour standards outlines who is ineligible for the minimum wage in Quebec and the conditions under which overtime rates apply. Generally, all employees in Quebec are entitled to earn at least the minimum wage for all work performed. However, certain workers are exempt from the minimum wage provisions under this Act. Additionally, employees are entitled to overtime pay at a rate of 1.5 times their regular hourly wage for any hours worked beyond 40 in a single week.

Below is a detailed explanation of the key regulations regarding the minimum wage in Quebec:

Who is Exempt from the Minimum Wage Rate in Quebec?

Certain workers are not entitled to the minimum wage under the Act Respecting Labour Standards, including students at non-profit organizations, interns, and off-site commission workers.

The 3 main exemptions include:

• Students at non-profits with a social or community mission: Individuals working for organizations with a social or community mission, such as summer camps.
• Interns or apprentices in professional training programmes recognized by law: Those enrolled in professional training programs recognized by law, including articling students.
• Workers paid entirely on commission who work off-site with uncontrolled hours: Employees who are paid entirely on commission and work off-site, with their hours not controlled by the employer.

If you do not fall into one of these specific categories, your employer must pay you at least the minimum wage for every hour you work. This includes time spent in training, commission work, or short shifts. Even trial shifts, unpaid training days, and probation periods should be paid at least $16.10 per hour (or $12.90 for eligible tipped employees).

Overtime Rules in Quebec

The minimum overtime rate is 1.5 times an employee’s regular rate for all hours worked beyond 40 in a week. Employees can request time off instead of receiving overtime pay, and the 1.5 multiplier still applies to the accumulated time. 

There may be some exceptions based on the specific industry, such as farm workers, who are not eligible for the overtime wage increase. Under the law, certain workers in specific jobs may have a workweek exceeding 40 hours, including those working in isolated locations, in the James Bay territory, and in logging or sawmills. For a complete list of exceptions to overtime pay and special workweek limits, please consult the CNESST directly.

Employee Rights to Refuse Working in Quebec

Under Quebec labour standards, most employees can generally refuse a request to work if:

• Work more than 2 hours beyond their regular daily hours
• Work more than 14 hours in a 24-hour period
• Work more than 50 hours in a week (with some exceptions)
• Work more than 12 hours in 24 hours for workers with flexible or non-continuous schedules

Exceptions apply for emergencies that threaten public safety or are covered under specific collective agreements. 

Source: Right to refuse to work overtime – cnesst.gouv.qc.ca

Time Off in Lieu in Quebec

Alternatively, workers may choose compensated time off instead of overtime pay:

• Leave calculation multiplies overtime hours by 1.5. Six overtime hours convert to nine hours of paid leave. 
• Banked Time allows overtime accumulation for future use. Workers build leave reserves while maintaining income stability.

Employees should also consider 3 complex situations that require specific calculations:

• Statutory holidays count as worked hours for overtime purposes. A holiday Monday plus 38 actual hours equals 46 total hours, triggering 6 hours of overtime pay.
• Variable schedules use four-week averages for holiday calculations. 
• Remote locations like James Bay logging operations allow 60-hour weekly thresholds before refusal rights apply. 

Source: Overtime in Quebec – CNESST

Historical Changes to Quebec’s Minimum Wage Rates

Minimum wage in Quebec has steadily risen over the past decade. The following table outlines how both the general and alternative tipped minimum wage rates in Quebec have progressed from 2016 to the newly announced rate:

The table shows that Quebec’s general minimum wage rate has risen by $5.35 per hour since 2016. The alternative minimum rate for tipped employees has also increased steadily over this period.

How does Quebec’s Provincial Minimum Wage Compare to the Federal Rate?

Quebec’s minimum wage of $16.10 is in the middle range among Canadian provinces and is lower than the federal minimum wage of $17.75, which applies only to federally regulated workers.

This federal minimum rate applies only to employees working in federally regulated industries such as banking, air transport, broadcasting, and telecommunications. All other non-federally regulated workers are covered by their respective provincial minimum wage rates.

The following table compares Quebec’s current general minimum wage with the federal rate and several other provinces for additional context.

Quebec’s current rate of $16.10 is higher than Alberta’s but lower than those in Ontario, British Columbia, and several territories. Among the ten provinces, Quebec ranks in the lower half. When Quebec’s rate increases to $16.60 on May 1, 2026, it will still be below the federal rate and the confirmed rates in Ontario and British Columbia.

Which Deductions Can Be Taken from Minimum Wage in Quebec?

While employees in Quebec are entitled to the provincial minimum wage, there are certain permissible deductions:

Regular Payroll Deductions

Employers may deduct minimum wage earnings for:

• Government remittances like income tax, EI and QPP
• Court-ordered garnishments, such as child support.
• Mandatory pension plans

Deductions for Meals and Lodging

If meals or lodging are provided due to the nature of the work, employers can deduct a maximum of $34.85 per week for meals and specified lodging rates.

Deductions for Uniforms and Equipment

Uniform expenses can be deducted if an employee makes more than minimum wage. However, these deductions cannot reduce pay below the $16.10 per hour minimum.

Other Deductions

Deductions from an employee’s pay are generally prohibited per Quebec’s labour standards, unless they are required by a law, a court order, a collective agreement, or the employee provides written authorization.

Note that even with written consent, there are strict rules. For example, a deduction for work-required special clothing is only permitted for employees paid more than minimum wage, and it cannot cause their pay to fall below the minimum wage for the hours worked. For employees earning the minimum wage, the employer must provide such clothing free of charge.

How Quebec’s Minimum Wage Affects Cost of Living

With the minimum wage at $16.10 per hour in Quebec, a full-time employee working 40 hours per week, 52 weeks per year, can expect to earn a gross salary of approximately $33,488 annually. The actual net (after-tax) income will depend on your personal situation (province of residence, credits, RRSP contributions, etc.).

According to Numbeo, a single person needs approximately $1,326.3 monthly, excluding rent, to live in Quebec City, while a family of four requires $4,922.2 monthly.

These figures show that while minimum wage income may be reasonable coverage for single residents, it creates pressure for families, particularly those earning minimum wage. Therefore, it can be very difficult for minimum wage earners to afford rent, food, transportation, and other expenses in Quebec, even in a single-income household.

The importance of Minimum Wage Laws in Quebec

At their core, minimum wage laws aim to ensure a fair basic standard of living for low-skilled and vulnerable segments of the workforce. They also give low-income earners increased consumer spending power, which can support the broader economy.

Specific purposes served by minimum wage legislation include:

• Providing reasonable compensation for essential work
• Reducing poverty and income inequality
• Increasing the standard of living for low-wage earners
• Boosting consumer spending power for essential goods and services
• Protecting groups vulnerable to exploitation, such as youth, women and minorities

Despite these aims, minimum wage rates remain contentious, with debates around potential impacts on unemployment and business operating costs. However, many experts argue that appropriate minimum wages can improve living standards with minimal adverse consequences.

Both employers and employees have a vested interest in thoroughly understanding updated minimum wage laws. An informed perspective can help ensure fair pay and compliance with Quebec’s labour regulations.

Explore more about the minimum wage across provinces and territories in Canada at:

• Minimum Wage in Newfoundland and Labrador
• Minimum Wage in Manitoba
• Minimum Wage in British Columbia
• Minimum Wage in Northwest Territories
• Minimum Wage in Nova Scotia

FAQs related to Minimum wage in Quebec