BC’s minimum wage is going up on June 1st.
British Columbia’s minimum wage is going up from $15.65 to $16.75 per hour, an increase of 6.9%.
“Having a minimum wage that keeps up with inflation is a key step to prevent the lowest paid workers from falling behind,” said Harry Bains, Minister of Labour. “These workers and their families feel the impacts of high costs much more than anyone else. We are maintaining our policy of tying the minimum wage to inflation.”
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The 6.9% increase in minimum wage rates reflects B.C.’s average annual inflation rate in 2022. This wage increase will also be seen for residential caretakers, live-in home-support workers and camp leaders.
“Elevating the minimum wage is a necessary response to inflation. The inflation we are experiencing now in B.C. is driven by profits, not wages,” said Jim Stanford, director, Centre for Future Work.
“It is unfair to expect the most vulnerable workers to give up some of their non-discretionary income because of record high inflation. By ensuring fairer compensation for our lowest-paid workers, we will reduce inequality and foster a more inclusive society.”
BC also has the highest minimum wage among all Canadian provinces.