Monday, December 22, 2025
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

Missing hiker with arrest warrant found after friends delay police report, says RCMP

Missing hiker with arrest warrant found after friends delay police report, says RCMP
Mounties in British Columbia are asking the public to be honest after a missing hiker's friends delayed reporting her disappearance to police. Port Alberni RCMP say they received a report for the missing hiker on Monday morning after she disappeared at around 2:30 p.m. the previous day.

Missing hiker with arrest warrant found after friends delay police report, says RCMP

'Devastating loss': Fire engulfs Telegraph Cove boardwalk on Vancouver Island

'Devastating loss': Fire engulfs Telegraph Cove boardwalk on Vancouver Island
Gordie Graham spent decades building the Telegraph Cove Resort on northeast Vancouver Island into a thriving ecotourism hub. He says he milled lumber for the project himself, transforming the tiny community that was once home to a sawmill and salmon cannery.

'Devastating loss': Fire engulfs Telegraph Cove boardwalk on Vancouver Island

Manitoba premier promises help for small businesses, eyes Trump fallout

Manitoba premier promises help for small businesses, eyes Trump fallout
Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew is leaving the door open to financial support for people affected by possible tariffs and other actions that may be taken by United States president-elect Donald Trump. Kinew is also promising help for small businesses hit by his government's property tax increase.

Manitoba premier promises help for small businesses, eyes Trump fallout

Vancouver's Bench Accounting to be acquired by California-based HR tech company

Vancouver's Bench Accounting to be acquired by California-based HR tech company
A California-based HR tech company says it will acquire a Vancouver-based bookkeeping service that abruptly halted operations last week. Bench Accounting announced its sudden closure on Friday, putting hundreds of staff out of work and forcing clients to seek alternatives just days from the end of the year.

Vancouver's Bench Accounting to be acquired by California-based HR tech company

Ship stranded in St. Lawrence River

Ship stranded in St. Lawrence River
A second attempt to free a ship stuck in the St. Lawrence River northeast of Montreal won't take place until Sunday. The Canadian Coast Guard says the owner of the MV Maccoa plans to unload more than 3,000 metric tons of corn to lighten the weight of the vessel.

Ship stranded in St. Lawrence River

Saskatchewan United Party leader steps down

Saskatchewan United Party leader steps down
The leader of the Saskatchewan United Party says he's stepping aside after it failed to win any seats in October's provincial election. Jon Hromek says in a letter to party supporters that his decision to resign as leader and step away from the party was not made lightly. 

Saskatchewan United Party leader steps down