Minimum wage / myLot

St. Catharines, Ontario

September 21, 2026 7:51am CST

Ontario’s minimum wage will rise 35 cents from $17.60 to $17.95 an hour on Oct. 1. I remember when minimum wage was a measely $1 an hour. Back then (1969) I'd have to work two 8-hour shifts to make almost that much, but it was enough to buy a week's groceries. Now, that might pay for a Big Mac, fries, a "pie" and a drink. Someone working full-time today at the minimum wage would make $718 a week or about $2872 a month before deductions. Sounds good, doesn't it? Except that they may be paying $2000 a month for rent, $400 a month for groceries, leaving $472 a month to pay for everything else. How can anyone with a family survive?

8 people like this

8 responses

Dominique

@dodo19 (48626)

• Beaconsfield, Quebec

That's definitely not a huge increase. I'm just glad that my husband and I make a decent amount. It's not always easy but we make it work. It can't be easy on minimum wage and such.

1 person likes this

BarBaraPrz

@BarBaraPrz (52142)

• St. Catharines, Ontario

And that's why there are so many homeless these days: they can't afford the rent or qualify for a mortgage.

1 person likes this

Dominique

@dodo19 (48626)

• Beaconsfield, Quebec

@BarBaraPrz Absolutely. It's sad to see the number of homelessness go up.

MARILYN

@Marilynda1225 (92247)

• United States

It's so hard to make ends meet these days even with an increase in minimum wage. I really don't know how families manage even if they are a two income household.

1 person likes this

BarBaraPrz

@BarBaraPrz (52142)

• St. Catharines, Ontario

I guess they realise they don't need to keep up with everything.

Anna

@LadyDuck (509103)

• Italy

This is really not a lot, the rent is expensive and the electricity cost is going up and up.

1 person likes this

BarBaraPrz

@BarBaraPrz (52142)

• St. Catharines, Ontario

True

1 person likes this

RasmaSandra

@RasmaSandra (101118)

• Daytona Beach, Florida

36m

I have enough problems managing from SS to SS if I had to take care of other people I could no, Families are expensive to take care of these days

Jimbo45

@Ineeddentures (44929)

•

That does not sound a lot for groceries Not for a family of 2 adults and 2 kids I imagine energy bills would take a lot of money also

Michael

@Wrexxo (7866)

•

Wow, things really changed a lot since 1969, thats wild to think about. Rent alone eating up most of the paycheck is rough, dont know how families make it work honestly. 35 cents dont really move the needle when cost of living keep climbing like this.

1 person likes this

BarBaraPrz

@BarBaraPrz (52142)

• St. Catharines, Ontario

True.

1 person likes this

Amber

@AmbiePam (127639)

• United States

Our minimum wage is $7.25.

Juliaacv

@Juliaacv (57616)

• Canada

Those who earn so low are usually eligible for all of the government assistance GST, Food Benefits, and so on. I remember when the GST came out, we were visiting with friends, and they were telling us that they received it, but we did not. My husband didn't say much, but when we were on our way home he explained to me that they were income supplements, and that we made 'too much' for consideration. I am glad that the gov't has the means to assist those who need it, we're all doing our very best.