Canada Demand Letter for Wage Owed

Template

[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[Date]

[Employer Name]
[Employer Address]

Re: Unpaid wages of [Amount Owed]

Dear [Employer Name],

My records show I am owed [Amount Owed] for work performed through [Last Day Worked], covering [pay period / hours]. This includes [overtime / final paycheck] not yet paid.

Please issue payment of [Amount Owed] within [Number] days. If not paid, I may file a wage claim with the [relevant agency, e.g., state labor department / employment tribunal], which can order payment plus penalties.

Sincerely,
[Your Name]

What to fill in

Hours or pay period unpaid
The exact amount owed
Your last day worked
The correct agency for your region

Jurisdiction note (CA)

Canada — a "Letter of Demand" should name the amount, facts, and a deadline. Provincial rules vary (e.g., Ontario’s Superior Court or the small claims division); some require specific demand wording before suing.

Legal note

In the US, unpaid wages are enforced by state labor departments and the federal DOL (FLSA). Some states require final paycheck on the last day. UK/AU have statutory wage-recovery tribunals.

Templates reviewed by the DemandKit editorial team; not a law firm — see disclaimer.