British Columbia Federation of Labour

November 1, 2009, marks eight years since BC last increased the statutory minimum wage for workers in the province.  Frozen at $8, and slashed by 25 percent to $6 for new workers, BC’s minimum wage has gone from the highest in the country to the lowest during this time.  During this period, the cost to taxpayers for Premier Campbell’s own salary and benefits, have more than doubled, increasing 109 percent. 

"Gordon Campbell said his government didn't need to raise the minimum wage when the economy was creating jobs.  Now that we have lost tens of thousands of jobs, he says we can't afford to raise it” says Jim Sinclair President of the B.C. Federation of Labour.  “The vast majority of British Columbians disagree with him and believe an increase is long overdue." 

Sinclair is calling on the provincial government to increase the minimum wage to $10 an hour with annual future increases indexed to inflation.  Provincial polling last spring found a $10 per hour minimum wage is supported by 78 percent of British Columbians with high levels of support regardless of age, education, household income or political affiliation.  

Every other provincial government in the country has increased the provincial minimum wage this year.  Next year Ontario’s minimum wage is set to increase to $10.25 while Newfoundland’s will grow to $10.00 and Nova Scotia’s will increase to $9.65. The province of Alberta makes annual adjustments to the minimum wage linked to average weekly earnings, while the provinces of Saskatchewan, Manitoba, New Brunswick, and Prince Edward Island have review boards that make annual recommendations regarding minimum wage increases. 

"Thousands of people in BC have lost good paying jobs and are finding nothing out there but $8 an hour, yet Gordon Campbell still won't increase the minimum wage," Sinclair added. 

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For more information: Evan Stewart, Director of Communications (604) 220-3095.