🇨🇦 Canada · Ontario · Employment Standards Act 2000 (ESA)
Ontario Employment Standards 2025
Statutory minimums for workers in Ontario under the Employment Standards Act 2000 (ESA): minimum wage, notice periods, vacation entitlement, and severance pay. These are floors — your employment contract may provide more generous terms.
Minimum wage
$17.20/hr
Effective October 2024; students under 18 working ≤28 hrs/wk: $16.20/hr
Max statutory notice
8 weeks
At 8+ years
Statutory severance
Yes
Additional to notice
Statutory notice periods
If your employer terminates your employment (without cause), you are entitled to notice — or pay in lieu — under the Employment Standards Act 2000 (ESA). The statutory minimums by length of service are:
| Length of service | Notice required |
|---|---|
| 1 year | 1 week |
| 3 years | 2 weeks |
| 4 years | 3 weeks |
| 5 years | 4 weeks |
| 6 years | 5 weeks |
| 7 years | 6 weeks |
| 8 years | 7 weeks |
| 8+ years | 8 weeks |
Statutory minimums only. Employment contracts and common law reasonable notice may provide significantly more. Wrongful dismissal claims can result in much longer notice periods through the courts.
Severance pay
Ontario has statutory severance pay separate from notice. 1 week per year of service (up to 26 weeks) for employees with 5+ years at employers with annual payroll ≥ $2.5 million
Severance pay is in addition to any notice or pay in lieu of notice. If you qualify, your employer must pay both your notice entitlement and your severance entitlement.
Vacation entitlement
Under the Employment Standards Act 2000 (ESA), employees are entitled to: 2 weeks (4%) for first 5 years; 3 weeks (6%) after 5 years.
Vacation pay accrues as a percentage of gross wages earned during the vacation entitlement year. Your employer must either provide the vacation as paid time off or, if agreed in writing, pay out the accrued vacation pay.
Minimum wage
The general minimum wage in Ontario is $17.20/hr. Effective October 2024; students under 18 working ≤28 hrs/wk: $16.20/hr.
The federal minimum wage ($17.30/hr as of April 2024) applies only to federally regulated workers — those in banking, airlines, railways, and telecommunications. If you work for a provincially regulated employer in Ontario, the Ontario rate applies.
Notice period calculator
Calculate your statutory notice entitlement based on years of service. Federal minimums applied — adjust for Ontario rules above.
Calculate →Take-home pay calculator
Work out your net pay after federal and provincial income tax, CPP, and EI deductions.
Calculate →Frequently asked questions
What is the minimum wage in Ontario in 2025?
The general minimum wage in Ontario is $17.20/hr. Effective October 2024; students under 18 working ≤28 hrs/wk: $16.20/hr
How much notice am I entitled to if I'm let go in Ontario?
Under the Employment Standards Act 2000 (ESA), the statutory notice entitlement is: 1 year → 1 week; 3 years → 2 weeks; 4 years → 3 weeks; 5 years → 4 weeks; 6 years → 5 weeks; 7 years → 6 weeks; 8 years → 7 weeks; 8+ years → 8 weeks. Your employment contract may provide more, but cannot provide less.
Does Ontario have statutory severance pay separate from notice?
Yes. 1 week per year of service (up to 26 weeks) for employees with 5+ years at employers with annual payroll ≥ $2.5 million. This is payable in addition to the notice (or pay in lieu of notice) entitlement.
How much vacation am I entitled to in Ontario?
Under the Employment Standards Act 2000 (ESA): 2 weeks (4%) for first 5 years; 3 weeks (6%) after 5 years. These are statutory minimums; your employment contract may provide more generous vacation.
Can my employer pay me in lieu of notice instead of working my notice period?
Yes. In Ontario, as in all Canadian provinces, an employer may provide pay in lieu of notice (PILON) instead of requiring you to work through the notice period. The payment must equal what you would have earned during the notice period, including regular wages and the value of other benefits.