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

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.

Prev Next

MORE National ARTICLES

VPD on lookout for SUV occupants

Vancouver Police are looking for the occupants of an S-U-V that was in the area where Japanese chef Wataru Kakiuchi was fatally stabbed early on June 5th. A 32-year-old man was arrested and charged with second-degree murder less than a week after the stabbing in the city's Downtown Eastside.

VPD on lookout for SUV occupants

Fire destroys historic Kamloops bridge

An early morning fire has destroyed a historic bridge in Kamloops. The blaze is believed to have started in the middle of city's Red Bridge at around 3 a-m, eventually engulfing the wooden structure that had two lanes for vehicles.

Fire destroys historic Kamloops bridge

B.C. Premier touts involuntary care plans at convention, days before campaign begins

B.C. Premier David Eby says several city governments are on board with having a "secure site" to house and treat severely mentally ill and drug addicted people. Eby told local politicians at the Union of B.C. Municipalities conference in Vancouver that public safety is a priority for cities, especially in downtown cores, where many people are seen "visibly" struggling with addictions.

B.C. Premier touts involuntary care plans at convention, days before campaign begins

Climate, food security, Arctic among Canada's intelligence priorities, Ottawa says

The pressing issues of climate change and food security join more familiar ones like violent extremism and espionage on a new list of Canada's intelligence priorities. The federal government says publishing the list of priorities for the first time is an important step toward greater transparency.

Climate, food security, Arctic among Canada's intelligence priorities, Ottawa says

B.C. and First Nations reach deal to sell 2,600 condos at 60% of market value

An agreement between First Nations and the British Columbia government will see thousands of homes made available in Vancouver at 40-per-cent below cost. Premier David Eby calls it a "remarkable" accomplishment between the province and the Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh First Nations, which would see about 2,600 homes sold for 60 per cent of the value in one of the most expensive real estate markets in the world.

B.C. and First Nations reach deal to sell 2,600 condos at 60% of market value

NDP flips, BC United flops, B.C. Conservatives surge as election campaign approaches

If the lead up to British Columbia's provincial election campaign is any indication of what’s to come, voters should expect the unexpected. It could be a wild ride to voting day on Oct. 19.