What are the minimum ages for working in Ontario?
You can't do some jobs in Ontario if you aren't old enough. There are minimum age rules for different kinds of workplaces.
14 years old
You must be 14 or older to work in offices, stores, arenas, or restaurant serving areas.
15 years old
You must be 15 or older to work in most factories, as well as restaurant kitchens, automotive service garages, produce and meat preparation or shipping and receiving areas in grocery stores, laundries, and warehouses.
16 years old
You must be 16 or older to do construction work or work in a logging operation, in a mining plant, or at a surface mine (except at the working face, where you must be at least 18).
18 years old
You must be 18 or older to work in an underground mine or at the working face of a surface mine or to work doing window cleaning.
If you aren't sure about the minimum age for a workplace, you can call the Ministry of Labour at 1-800-268-8013 to find out.
Where to get help
Call the Ministry of Labour Health & Safety Contact Centre at 1-877-202-0008 if you suspect work practices are unsafe or if you have a general inquiry about workplace health and safety.
Call the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board at 1-800-387-0750 if you have questions about getting benefits if you are hurt at work.
To learn more about the rules at work
