B.C.’s minimum wage will rise to $17.85 per hour on June 1, up from $17.40. The 2.6 per cent increase follows inflation and affects over 130,000 workers, including resident caretakers, live-in support staff, and app-based delivery drivers.
The province says tying wage increases to inflation ensures predictability for businesses and fairness for workers. This is the fourth consecutive year the minimum wage has been adjusted using B.C.’s Consumer Price Index, which rose 2.6 per cent in 2024.
However, labour advocates say the increase falls short of a true living wage. Living Wage BC reports that the amount needed to cover basic expenses like housing and food is over $26 an hour in Victoria and even higher in Whistler, where the living wage tops $28.
Advocates are urging the province to adopt living wage requirements for companies receiving government contracts, saying it would both support workers and boost local economies.
Meanwhile, business leaders warn that constant minimum wage hikes are putting pressure on small businesses, driving up costs across the wage scale. The Greater Langley Chamber of Commerce estimates that if the current trend continues, minimum wage could surpass $20 within five years, raising concerns about affordability for employers.
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