Ontario raising minimum wage to $17.60 starting October

Ontario is raising the minimum wage from $17.20 to $17.60 an hour starting October 1, the province said in a news release Tuesday. 

The annual wage increase is based on the Ontario Consumer Price Index of 2.4 per cent, the release said. The index is a measure of inflation that represents changes in prices.

After the 40 cent increase takes effect, Ontario's minimum wage will be the second-highest minimum wage in Canada, the release said. 

The province said workers who earn minimum wage and work 40 hours per week will see an annual pay increase of up to $835. 

Close to 36 per cent of workers who earn at or below $17.60 per hour are in the retail industry, the release said, while 24 per cent work in accommodation and food services.