Share
Unifor is welcoming the news that B.C.’s minimum wage will increase to $16.75 per hour on June 1, 2023.
“Premier David Eby’s government is signalling that it will not leave the province’s lowest paid workers behind as the cost of living rises,” said Lana Payne, Unifor National President. “Strong minimum wage, improved employment standards, and greater access to forming a union are all part of the pro-worker changes introduced by this government, and other provinces should follow suit.”
Today British Columbians enjoy the nation’s highest minimum wage after workers in the Yukon and Nunavut. The B.C. NDP government has increased the provincial minimum wage every year since forming government in 2017.
During ten of the eleven years Kevin Falcon was a cabinet minister in the B.C. Liberal government, the minimum wage was frozen at $8 per hour.
“Unlike the wealthiest Canadians, minimum wage earners on average spend most of their earnings. Increasing the minimum wage will help the provinces most vulnerable workers. It will also be a much-needed economic stimulus for local businesses,” said Gavin McGarrigle, Unifor Western Regional Director.
Despite the expected complaints from business lobbyists, there is no evidence that increases to the minimum wage have a net impact on job numbers.
