B.C. boosting minimum wage to $15.65 an hour, labour minister says

Minimum wage workers across B.C. will soon see a pay boost of 45 cents more per hour, according to the province’s labour minister.

Minimum wage workers across B.C. will soon see a pay boost of 45 cents more per hour, according to the province’s labour minister.

In an announcement Monday, Harry Bains said the general minimum wage will be raised to $15.65 an hour, effective June 1, 2022.

"The 45 cent increase is based on British Columbia's average annual inflation rate in 2021," said Bains. "At 2.8 per cent for the year, B.C.'s inflation in 2021 was the highest since 1993."

Along with changes to the general minimum wage, Bains also announced a 2.8 per cent increase to alternate minimum wages, for “live-in camp leaders, live-in home support and resident caretaker workers.”

"An increase of 2.8 per cent will also apply to minimum piece rates for hand harvesting of 15 specific crops in the agricultural sector," said Bains.

That includes peaches, apricots, brussels sprouts, daffodils, mushrooms, apples, beans, blueberries, cherries, grapes, pears, peas, prune plums, raspberries and strawberries.

The new wage for those workers will go into effect on Jan. 1, 2023.