The active population in figures

Note: (e) Estimated data

Working conditions

Legal weekly duration

40 or 48 hours according to the province

Retirement age

In Canada, the labor laws do not specify the age of retirement for workers, except in the case of certain professions such as the military, judges and firemen.

Working contracts

Work contracts are governed by law. Collective agreements and individual negotiation supplement it.
The formalities of the work contract, hiring conditions and dismissal constraints are rigid.

Cost of labor

Minimum wage

The minimum wage in Quebec is 8.20 CAD/hour, and 8.25 CAD for the clothing industry and 7.25 CAD for workers who receive tips. In Ontario, the minimum wage is 8.75 CAD. In British Columbia 6 CAD/hour for a first job and 8 CAD for a 2nd job.

Average wage

CAD 38,998 per year.

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