Last verified 2026-06-27
What a fair wage policy is
A fair wage policy is a city rule that sets minimum hourly rates for people working on the city's own contracts. The rates are organized by trade and by type of work, and they are typically set above the provincial minimum wage. The intent is to make sure public contracts do not drive wages down. If you bid on city work, the policy can directly shape your labour cost, so it belongs in your pricing.
Where it applies, and where it does not
Fair wage policies apply to the city's contracts and to the trades and work the policy covers, not to every job in the city. Cities such as Toronto, Ottawa, and Hamilton have fair wage requirements; many smaller municipalities do not. Because coverage varies, the only reliable source is the city's official procurement materials and the specific tender, which will state whether fair wage rates apply.
Always use the official current schedule
Fair wage rates are detailed schedules that are updated periodically, so any figure you find quoted in a blog or an old document may be out of date. That is why this tool links you to each city's official schedule rather than reproducing a number. Where no fair wage rate applies, the Ontario Employment Standards Act minimum wage is the legal floor. This page is a starting reference to review, not legal advice.