Hiring Experienced Bartender in Busy King West Restaurant

As per the Ontario Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development, the minimum wage for restaurant servers is $18.40 per hour as of October 1, 2026. This rate applies equally to tipped and non-tipped workers since the elimination of the lower liquor server rate in 2023. Overtime pay is 1.5 times the regular rate after 44 hours per week.

According to Employment and Social Development Canada Job Bank, cooks (NOC 63200) earn $15.50 to $28.00 per hour, with a median of $20.50 as of 2026. In major cities like Toronto and Vancouver, the median rises to $22.00 per hour. Entry-level positions start at the lower end after on-the-job training.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada requires a work permit under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program for restaurant jobs, needing a positive LMIA from ESDC at $1,000 CAD per position as of 2026. The permit application fee is $155 CAD with processing times of 8-22 weeks. Low-wage stream positions like servers qualify if no Canadians are available.

Employment and Social Development Canada Job Bank states no formal education is required for food and beverage servers (NOC 65200), with 75% of positions needing less than 1 month of on-the-job training. Customer service experience is common but not mandatory for entry-level roles. A high school diploma is listed as an asset in 40% of postings.