The active population in figures

Note: (e) Estimated data

Working conditions

Legal weekly duration

Normal hours of work are eight hours per day and 40 hours per week. The maximum weekly working time is 48 hours.

Retirement age

The Canadian government removed the age of mandatory retirement in December 2011. All Canadian provinces, with the exception of a few thousand public employees in New Brunswick, have abolished the mandatory departure in retirement. Officials and employees of enterprises under federal jurisdiction can now retire at age 70, or even later if they wish. Workers who stop at age 70 (instead of 65 years ago) receive 42% more from the Canadian Pension Plan, the public pension.

Working contracts

Federal provisions govern contracts of employment in Canada. The Government of Canada has established minimum standards for employment in Part III of the Canada Labour Code, including the minimum wage, annual leave, public holidays, bereavement leave, etc. Collective agreements and individual negotiations supplement these provisions. In addition, each province has its own rules of labor law.

Cost of labor

Minimum wage

The minimum wage in Canada varies by province:
Alberta : 9.40 CAD
British Columbia : 9.50 CAD
Manitoba : 10 CAD
New Brunswick : 10 CAD
Newfoundland : 10 CAD
Northwest Territories : 10 CAD
Nova Scotia : 10.15 CAD
Nunavut : 11 CAD
Ontario : 10.25 CAD
Prince Edward Island : 10 CAD
Quebec : 9.65 CAD
Saskatchewan : 9.50 CAD
Yukon : 9.27 CAD

Average wage

CAD 46,550

Social contributions

Social security contributions paid by employers: Employment insurance EI (1.4% up to 584 USD in Quebec and 720 USD for the other provinces), Health insurance RAMQ (2.7%), Canada Pension Plan CPP - QPP (4.95%), Quebec Parental Insurance Plan RQAP (0.583% for the employer).
The rate of health insurance varies according to the province.
Social security contributions paid by employees: Employment insurance EI (1.46% up to 584 USD in Quebec and 720 USD for the other provinces), Canada Pension Plan CPP - QPP (4.95%), Quebec Parental Insurance Plan RQAP (0.416%)
The rate of health insurance varies according to the province.

Social partners

Social dialogue and involvement of social partners

The labour organizations and trade unions are very strong and well structured in Canada. Quebec is the most unionized province.

Unions

FTQ - Quebec workers federation
CSN - Canada national federation of labour organizations and trade unions
CLC-CTC - Canadian Labour Congress
NUPGE - National Union of Public and General Employees
TCA-CAW - Canada Automobile Workers Union
CUPE - Canadian Union of Public Employees

Unionization rate

22.9 % of part-time workers, 31.2% of full-time workers, 30.2 % of permanent workers, 25.8 % of non-permanent workers. These rates have dropped in companies of less than 20 employees and in those of 100 to 500 employees. On the other hand, they have risen in establishments of more than 500 employees and those of 20 to 99 employees.

Labor regulation bodies

Human Resources and Social Development Canada