What can I do if my employer hasn't paid me in Canada?

You can file a wage complaint with your provincial or territorial employment standards office. This is free, and the government will investigate and order your employer to pay you if the complaint is upheld. You do not need a lawyer to file.

How long does an employer have to pay wages in Canada?

Most provinces require employers to pay wages on a fixed pay period schedule, typically every two weeks. If a paycheque is missed or delayed, the employer is in violation of employment standards law and you can file a complaint immediately.

Can my employer refuse to pay me if I quit without notice?

No. Your employer must pay you all wages already earned, regardless of whether you gave notice or were terminated. Withholding earned wages is illegal in every Canadian province and territory.

Can I sue my employer for unpaid wages?

Yes. You can file a civil lawsuit in small claims court for unpaid wages in addition to, or instead of, a provincial employment standards complaint. Small claims court handles wage disputes up to limits that vary by province ($35,000 in Ontario, $20,000 in Alberta).

Is there a time limit to claim unpaid wages in Canada?

Yes. Limitation periods vary by province. In Ontario, you have two years from the date the wages were due. In Alberta, it is two years. File as soon as possible to protect your claim.

My Employer Hasn't Paid Me: What To Do in Canada

If your employer hasn’t paid you, you have legal protections and a clear path to recovering your wages. Not being paid is a violation of employment standards law in every province and territory in Canada.

The short answer

File a wage complaint with your provincial employment standards office. It is free, the government investigates on your behalf, and penalties for employers can be significant. Do not wait — limitation periods apply.

Step 1: Document what you are owed

Before filing a complaint or taking any other action, gather:

Your pay stubs or any written record of hours worked
Your employment contract or offer letter confirming your pay rate
Bank records showing which deposits were received and which were missed
Any emails or texts from your employer about the missing pay

Step 2: Contact your employer in writing

Send a short written message (email or text) stating which pay period was missed, the amount owed, and requesting payment by a specific date. Keep a copy. This creates a record and sometimes resolves the issue without escalation.

Step 3: File an employment standards complaint

If your employer does not respond or refuses to pay, file a formal complaint with your provincial employment standards office.

Province	Office	Website
Ontario	Ministry of Labour	ontario.ca/labour
British Columbia	Employment Standards Branch	gov.bc.ca/employment-standards
Alberta	Employment Standards	alberta.ca/employment-standards
Quebec	CNESST	cnesst.gouv.qc.ca
Manitoba	Employment Standards	gov.mb.ca/labour/standards
Saskatchewan	Employment Standards	saskatchewan.ca/employment-standards
Nova Scotia	Labour Standards	novascotia.ca/labour-standards
New Brunswick	Employment Standards	worksafenb.ca

Filing is free. You do not need a lawyer. An officer will contact your employer and can order wages to be repaid with interest.

Step 4: Small claims court (if needed)

If the employment standards process is slow or your claim is complex, you can also file in small claims court. This is a parallel option, not a last resort.

Province	Small Claims Limit
Ontario	$35,000
British Columbia	$35,000
Alberta	$50,000
Quebec	$15,000

Court filing fees are typically $100–$200 and you will represent yourself. Many small wage claims settle before a hearing.

What your employer cannot legally do

Withhold wages as punishment for quitting without notice
Deduct wages for mistakes, till shortages, or damaged equipment without written agreement
Delay final pay when employment ends (final pay rules vary by province but are typically due within one to two pay periods)
Refuse to pay wages because they claim you “owe” them something

If your employer has shut down or gone bankrupt

If your employer is insolvent, you may still recover wages through the federal Wage Earner Protection Program (WEPP). This covers up to $9,055 in unpaid wages, vacation pay, and termination pay from employers in bankruptcy or receivership.

Apply through Service Canada at canada.ca/wage-earner-protection.

Key takeaway

Unpaid wages are not a grey area — they are a legal violation. File your complaint promptly, keep records, and use the free government complaint process. You do not need to accept non-payment.