B.C. will be getting a minimum wage boost on June 1.
Labour Minister Harry Bains made the announcement Wednesday, saying the minimum wage will rise by $1.10 to $16.75 an hour.
Right now it is $15.65 an hour.
B.C. will have the highest minimum wage of all provinces in Canada, Bains said.
This equates to a 6.9-per cent increase, consistent with inflation, he added.
“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,” Jim Stanford, director, Centre for Future Work, said in a statement. “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.”
The minimum wage was $10.45 per hour in 2015.
Some organizations are not happy about the news.
“The Surrey Board of Trade is disappointed that such a significant minimum wage increase was announced today, leading to further unsustainable cost increases for businesses,” Anita Huberman, president and CEO of the Surrey Board of Trade said in a statement.
“Such a significant increase in minimum wage should have been discussed last year with the business community, especially in the face of other unprecedented increases in taxes and fees from other levels of government.”
“It is imperative that the B.C. government focus on reducing costs to businesses by committing to convening a commission to review taxes and red tape impacting businesses.”
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