National

B.C.’s minimum wage increases to $18.25, June 1

Darpan News Desk Darpan, 26 May, 2026 10:57 AM

As of Monday, June 1, 2026, the province's general minimum wage will rise to $18.25 an hour.

Types of wages affected

The increase of just over 2.1% raises the general minimum wage from $17.85 to $18.25 per hour. The same percentage increase applies to the minimum rates for resident caretakers, live-in home-support workers, live-in camp leaders and app-based ride-hailing and delivery service workers.

The minimum agricultural piece-rate wages for the hand harvesting of specified crops will increase by just over 2.1% on Dec. 31, 2026. The Dec. 31 date for the annual increase to the minimum piece rates ensures crop producers will not need to adjust wages in the middle of the harvesting season.

Context for this increase

* The Province is committed to a minimum wage structure that benefits the lowest-paid workers, while providing employers with certainty and predictability.

* Changes were made to the Employment Standards Act in 2024 to ensure annual minimum wage increases occur automatically based on B.C.'s average monthly inflation rate from the previous year.

* Approximately 141,300 employees in B.C. earned the minimum wage or less in 2025.

* These increases have moved B.C. from near the bottom to among the highest minimum wages in Canada.

Learn More:

* For details on this year's minimum wage increase, read the news release: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2026LBR0002-000191

Prev Next

MORE National ARTICLES

Six migrants found crossing border on foot in freezing temperatures: Manitoba RCMP

Mounties in Manitoba say six people from multiple countries were caught last week trying to illegally cross into Canada from the United States. Police say the group was spotted from the air crossing the border on foot near Emerson on Jan. 14.

Six migrants found crossing border on foot in freezing temperatures: Manitoba RCMP

Vancouver mayor proposes pause on new supportive housing in Downtown Eastside

Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim has unveiled a plan to revitalize the city's troubled Downtown Eastside, including pausing the construction of net new supportive housing units. Sim told a Save Our Streets forum, held by a coalition of groups concerned about crime and public safety in B.C., that the proposal is one of three key policy shifts being planned to transform the Downtown Eastside.

Vancouver mayor proposes pause on new supportive housing in Downtown Eastside

U.S. tariff threat adds urgency for B.C.'s energy independence: minister

British Columbia Energy Minister Adrian Dix says the looming threat of American tariffs raises the stakes for boosting the province's energy independence. Dix says there was urgency before the U.S. election last November, but "there's more now" as American President Donald Trump threatens to impose 25 per cent tariffs on Canadian goods.

U.S. tariff threat adds urgency for B.C.'s energy independence: minister

Victoria garbage truck driver delivers fire to fire department

The driver of a garbage truck in Victoria is being hailed for his quick thinking when he saw smoke coming from the back compartment. The Victoria Firefighters Association posted its praise on social media saying the driver called 911 when he saw the smoke — then drove straight to the firehall.

Victoria garbage truck driver delivers fire to fire department

Joly off to Washington to talk tariffs with Rubio as Trump floats 5% target for NATO

Trump is threatening to impose 25 per cent across-the-board tariffs on imports from Canada starting on Feb. 1 though Joly says things are still in transition while Trump hasn't yet confirmed a commerce secretary.

Joly off to Washington to talk tariffs with Rubio as Trump floats 5% target for NATO

Freeland says she's abandoning capital gains tax change because of Trump

Former finance minister Chrystia Freeland says her promise to repeal changes to the capital gains tax was made in response to Donald Trump's election in the United States. Freeland is running to be the next leader of the Liberal party and the next prime minister.