The new minimum wage is not a living wage

Today (1 June 2021), the minimum wage for workers across the province increased. 

While it is good news for workers that the minimum wage is being increased, it is still far less than what families in BC need to be able to make ends meet.

The new minimum wage

The minimum wage has now increased to $15.20 an hour and the lower discriminatory minimum wage for liquor servers has ended.

However, some workers, such as hand harvesters, who pick the fruit and vegetables that we eat, are exempt from minimum wage legislation, meaning they earn even less than that.

"We call on the BC Government to work with the Fair Wages Commission to develop an action plan to ensure that all workers in BC are brought up to a living wage" Anastasia French, Campaign Organiser

The Living Wage

The Living Wage for Families Campaign annually calculates the Living Wage for communities across British Columbia. The living wage for all communities in BC is more than the minimum wage. Find out your local Living Wage rate.

The amount needed for a for a family of four in Metro-Vancouver with two parents working full-time to pay for necessities, support the healthy development of their children and escape severe financial stress  is $19.50 an hour.

Workers in the Lower Mainland and Greater Victoria need to be earning $4 an hour more than the new minimum wage to make ends meet

Living Wage Employers

There are nearly 250 employers across BC who have committed to paying their staff and contracted workers a Living Wage. Find out more about Living Wage Employers.