Ontario has raised its minimum wage to $17.20 per hour, but questions arise about its adequacy for newcomers. Despite the increase, a full-time minimum wage worker in Ontario can expect to take home only about $29,026 annually after taxes. This falls significantly short of the estimated $40,894 yearly cost of living for a single person in Toronto, where nearly half the population consists of immigrants. Many newcomers find themselves in minimum-wage positions while awaiting credential recognition, a process that can be lengthy and varies by province. The situation highlights the financial challenges faced by new immigrants, particularly in high-cost urban areas, and underscores the growing role of immigrant workers in low-skilled occupations across Canada.
