The federal minimum wage is scheduled to increase today.

Earlier this year, the federal government announced it would raise its workers' minimum wage by 65 cents, or about $17.30 per hour, starting April 1.

This increase is part of the promise made by Justin Trudeau's government to raise the federal minimum wage annually to keep up with inflation.

Here's what you need to know:

Who gets the increase?

This change affects workers in federally regulated industries such as international and interprovincial transportation, communications, banking services, as well as postal and courier services.

A full list of federally regulated sectors can be found on the government's website.

It also applies to apprentices and workers under 18 years old.

Why 65 cents?

The increase is based on the Canadian Consumer Price Index (CPI) for the previous calendar year, with the annual average CPI for 2023 at about 3.9%.

How does this work with provincial minimum wages?

This wage is for workers in federally regulated industries and does not affect the minimum wages set by each province and territory.

However, if a provincial government has a higher minimum wage, workers in that province will receive that higher wage.

As of March 13, the only province scheduled to increase the minimum wage by more than $1.30 is Yukon.

Will the minimum wage increase in Ontario?

Minimum wage changes in Ontario occur in the fall, and in 2023, the rate rose to $16.55 per hour, at that time, a full dollar jump from the $15.50 wage in 2022.

The Doug Ford government pledged an annual increase in October, and in late March, they said the new increase would reach $17.20.

What is the minimum wage in Canada?

Alberta: $15

British Columbia: $16.75

Manitoba: $15.30

New Brunswick: $14.75, scheduled to rise to $15.30 in April 2024

Newfoundland and Labrador: $15, scheduled to rise to $15.60 in April 2024

Northwest Territories: $16.05

Nova Scotia: $15, scheduled to rise to $15.20 in April 2024

Nunavut: $16

Ontario: $16.55

Prince Edward Island: $15, scheduled to rise to $16 in April 2024

Quebec: $15.25

Saskatchewan: $14, scheduled to rise to $15 in October 2024

Yukon: $16.77, scheduled to rise to $17.59 in April 2024

Is the minimum wage enough?

According to an analysis conducted by the Ontario Living Wage Network in 2023, a living wage in Ontario would be more than $25 per hour in the Greater Toronto Area.

This is calculated by accounting for costs such as food, rent, transportation, clothing, footwear, medical expenses, childcare, and internet and cellphone costs.