Several new laws and regulations in Ontario are set to go into effect next month, and they will affect minimum wage workers, property owners, and everyday residents in all parts of the country.
From tax deadlines to wage increases, there are many key changes you need to be aware of.
Here are all the new laws and regulations that come into effect in April 2025.
New federal minimum wage
The government is officially increasing the federal minimum wage to $17.75 per hour on April 1, 2025 — representing a 2.4 per cent increase. The Canadian government says this increase will ensure that salaries for workers in federally regulated private sectors are keeping pace with the year-over-year cost of living increases, and help those working part-time or low-wage jobs earn more.
Employers will be responsible for adjusting their payroll information accordingly to make sure that employees are being paid at least the new hourly wage starting April 1. Should the provincial minimum wage rate exceed the federal rate, employers must pay the higher of the two.
The federal minimum wage is adjusted annually on April 1 based on Canada’s annual average Consumer Price Index relative to the previous year and is rounded up to the nearest $0.05. Since its introduction in 2021, the federal minimum wage has steadily increased. In 2021, the federal minimum wage was $15.
Vacant home tax
The Vacant Home Tax (VHT) program requires homeowners in Toronto to let the City know if their property is occupied or vacant every year. If you own a property, you must declare its 2024 occupancy status by April 30, 2025.
The City says the program’s goal is to increase the housing supply in the city by encouraging owners of vacant residential properties to sell or rent them out. Owners who choose to keep their properties vacant are subject to a tax, and the revenue is used towards affordable housing initiatives.
To make your declaration, you’ll need your customer number plus the address or the 21-digit assessment roll number from your property tax bill, property tax account statement, or Vacant Home Tax notice.
The City’s online portal is the most secure and quickest way to submit a declaration. Owners of properties who are subject to the tax will be issued a Vacant Home Tax Notice in May.
Final carbon tax rebate
On March 15, Prime Minister Mark Carney announced that the federal government would remove the fuel charge from Canada’s carbon pollution pricing system and sunset the Canada Carbon Rebate (CCR) for individuals.
“The consumer carbon tax was too divisive when we should be pulling together. That’s why I took action to cancel it on day one,” Carney wrote on X. The carbon rebate, which is formerly known as the Canada Climate Action Incentive Payment (CAIP), is a quarterly tax-free amount to help eligible individuals and families offset the cost of federal pollution pricing.
The final CCR payment for individuals will be issued starting April 22, 2o25, but to receive the payment, you must file your 2024 income tax and benefit return electronically no later than April 2, 2025. If you file your taxes later than April 2, you’ll still receive your final CCR payment but will have to wait until your 2024 return is assessed.
