Thursday, January 1, 2026
ADVT 
National

B.C. minimum wage increases by 45 cents per hour starting June 1

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 14 Feb, 2025 12:43 PM
  • B.C. minimum wage increases by 45 cents per hour starting June 1

The British Columbia government says the province's lowest-paid workers are getting a wage boost to keep pace with inflation.

The Ministry of Labour says the minimum wage will increase from $17.40 to $17.85 per hour starting in June.

It says the 2.6 per cent increase follows changes made last spring to the Employment Standards Act, which mandated yearly wage rises.

Labour Minister Jennifer Whiteside says those adjustments were made last year because minimum-wage workers are most vulnerable to jumps in prices for living expenses like groceries, rent and gas.

The province says 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 B.C.

It says minimum wage rates increase on June 1 each year, except for the minimum agricultural piece rates that increase on Dec. 31 to ensure crop producers will not have to adjust wages in the middle of the harvesting season.

MORE National ARTICLES

Community engagement launched to address racism faced by South Asian communities

Community engagement launched to address racism faced by South Asian communities
The City of Vancouver has launched a community engagement process to hear from members of South Asian communities about historical discrimination and ongoing racism. Community members are invited to complete an online survey, attend sessions and share their perspectives on the city's website.

Community engagement launched to address racism faced by South Asian communities

Pellet gun shooting in Victoria

Pellet gun shooting in Victoria
Police in Victoria say a man has been arrested after he was caught on C-C-T-V footage allegedly shooting a pellet gun at another person. It happened along Pandora Avenue just before 10:15 p-m on October 2nd.

Pellet gun shooting in Victoria

1.6Kg of fentanyl seizure in Campbell River

1.6Kg of fentanyl seizure in Campbell River
R-C-M-P say three search warrants executed in the Campbell River area led to the seizure of 1.6 kilograms of fentanyl as well as cocaine and methamphetamine. They say officers also seized weapons, including a gun.

1.6Kg of fentanyl seizure in Campbell River

PBO releases updated carbon price report after previous error sparked controversy

PBO releases updated carbon price report after previous error sparked controversy
Yves Giroux says today's report still finds the vast majority of households get back more in rebates than they pay through the carbon price — but once broader economic effects are factored in, those gains are wiped out for most, except for some lower-income earners.

PBO releases updated carbon price report after previous error sparked controversy

Canadians in Florida urged to exercise caution in Hurricane Milton aftermath

Canadians in Florida urged to exercise caution in Hurricane Milton aftermath
Mark Robinson travelled to Florida on Tuesday to follow Milton's development along the west coast, and says its rapid development made forecasting the exact location and landfall time challenging to predict, meaning residents in the state had little time to prepare.

Canadians in Florida urged to exercise caution in Hurricane Milton aftermath

Poilievre supports mandatory drug, psychiatric treatment for kids, prisoners

Poilievre supports mandatory drug, psychiatric treatment for kids, prisoners
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre says he's in favour of mandatory, involuntary drug and psychiatric treatment for kids and prisoners who are found to be incapable of making decisions for themselves. He said earlier this summer he was open to the idea, but needed to study the issue more closely.

Poilievre supports mandatory drug, psychiatric treatment for kids, prisoners