Can the City of London set its own minimum wage different from Ontario?

No—statutory minimum wage is set by the provincial government; municipalities typically do not have authority to set a separate statutory minimum wage in Ontario.

Who enforces tip and minimum wage rules in London?

The Ontario Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development enforces provincial minimum wage and tip-related employment standards; municipal by-law enforcement handles locally enacted bylaws if one exists.

How do I report unpaid wages or tip issues in London?

File an Employment Standards complaint with the provincial ministry and, if the issue involves a local bylaw, contact City of London By-law Enforcement to report the local concern.

London Minimum Wage Bylaw: Phased Increases & Tipped Rules

Labor and Employment Ontario 3 Minutes Read · published February 12, 2026

· By Daniel Roy

The rules that govern minimum pay for workers in London, Ontario are determined primarily by provincial law and applied locally by enforcement agencies; municipalities do not typically set statutory minimum wages. This guide explains how phased increases and rules about tips interact with municipal practices, who enforces the standards, common violations, and practical steps for workers and employers in London. Where a specific municipal bylaw exists it will be listed on the City of London bylaws pages; otherwise the Ontario Employment Standards framework applies and is the primary enforcement route for wage and tip disputes. Read the steps below to report, appeal, or comply.

Penalties & Enforcement

Because statutory minimum wage and many tip rules are set under Ontario employment law, enforcement and penalties generally flow through the provincial Employment Standards system rather than a City of London bylaw unless a specific municipal ordinance is adopted for other local labour conditions. If a municipal bylaw addressing minimum wage existed it would be enforced by the City of London By-law Enforcement or the relevant licensing office; however no municipal minimum wage bylaw is listed on the City of London bylaw index as of February 2026. For provincial breaches, the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development investigates complaints and can issue orders.

Statutory minimum wage in Ontario is set by the provincial government, not by the City of London.

Fines and monetary remedies: amounts for provincial contraventions are set by statute or by order of the ministry; specific dollar fines or penalty ranges for minimum wage breaches are not specified on the cited ministry page.
Escalation: enforcement can begin with investigation and orders; repeat or continuing offences may result in further orders or prosecution, but specific escalation ranges are not specified on the cited page.
Non-monetary sanctions: the ministry can issue orders to pay outstanding wages, require record-keeping changes, and pursue prosecution through court where applicable.
Enforcer and complaint pathway: the Employment Standards Branch of the Ontario Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development handles wage and tip complaints; file a complaint with the ministry via its Employment Standards complaint process and contact the City of London By-law Enforcement for any municipal bylaw concerns.
Appeals and reviews: ministry orders may be reviewed or appealed via the statutory routes identified by the ministry; time limits for appeals are not specified on the cited ministry page.

Applications & Forms

To request a review or start an investigation for unpaid wages or improper handling of tips, use the Ontario Employment Standards complaint process on the provincial site. The specific name or file number of a universal form is not specified on the cited page; the ministry provides online complaint submission and guidance for evidence to include.

FAQ

Can the City of London set its own minimum wage different from Ontario?: No—statutory minimum wage is set by the provincial government; municipalities typically do not have authority to set a separate statutory minimum wage in Ontario.
Who enforces tip and minimum wage rules in London?: The Ontario Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development enforces provincial minimum wage and tip-related employment standards; municipal by-law enforcement handles locally enacted bylaws if one exists.
How do I report unpaid wages or tip issues in London?: File an Employment Standards complaint with the provincial ministry and, if the issue involves a local bylaw, contact City of London By-law Enforcement to report the local concern.

How-To

Gather evidence: employment records, pay stubs, tip records, shift logs, photos of notices or schedules.
Contact your employer or payroll department in writing requesting remedy and keep a copy.
File an Employment Standards complaint with the Ontario ministry, using the ministry online complaint process and attach your evidence.
If the issue involves a municipal licence or bylaw, report to City of London By-law Enforcement and include reference to any ministry complaint.
Follow up on ministry investigation requests and use appeal routes if an order is issued and you disagree.

Key Takeaways

Ontario sets statutory minimum wage; London enforces provincial standards through complaint pathways.
Keep clear records of hours, tips and pay to support any complaint.
Use the provincial Employment Standards complaint process for unpaid wages or improper tip handling; contact municipal by-law enforcement for local bylaw matters.

Help and Support / Resources

[1] Ontario Ministry of Labour - Minimum wage and Employment Standards