BC's minimum wage is increasing and here's how much more you'll make
The general minimum wage in BC is set to increase in just a few months, a move the provincial government says will help the lowest-paid workers keep pace with inflation.
The Ministry of Labour announced today that the minimum wage will rise by $0.45 starting June 1.
It follows changes made in Spring 2024 to the Employment Standards Act, which made annual wage increases mandatory.
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“Minimum wage earners are vulnerable to jumps in the price of groceries, rent and gas,” said Jennifer Whiteside, minister of labour, in a release. “That’s why we took action last year to ensure the minimum wage keeps up with the cost of living so workers don’t fall further behind.”
The minimum wage boost from $17.40 to 17.85 an hour represents a 2.6% increase. Rates for residential caretakers, live-in home-support workers, camp leaders, and app-based ride-hailing and delivery services workers will also receive the jump.
On December 31, the minimum piece rates for 15 hand-harvested crops increased by the same percentage.
“The changes align with government priorities to help lift more people out of poverty, make life more affordable, and build a strong and fair economy for BC,” said the Ministry of Labour.
According to Living Wage for Families, Metro Vancouver’s living wage climbed to $27.05 per hour in 2024 as calculated using a 35-hour workweek.
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“No matter where they live, people should be able to afford a decent life,” said Living Wage for Families online. “There are jobs that need to be done in every community, and therefore people need homes, services, and a good quality of life in every community.
“In a province as diverse as BC, communities differ when it comes to their cost of living. For example, while some communities may have lower housing or childcare costs, others may have limited transit and so have to take on the additional cost of a car.”