Raise the Rates - Demands

4. Raise the Minimum Wage

Increase the minimum wage to $10/hour and index to inflation; ensure that all workers get at least $10 an hour; end the $6 training wage.

Why do we want to raise the minimum wage?

BC's minimum wage of $8/hour has not been increased since November 1, 2001. In this time, the purchasing power has decreased significantly meaning that minimum wage workers can’t afford adequate housing and basic living necessities.

BC is the only province that has a reduced wage of $6/hour for the first 500 hours of paid work. Most low-wage jobs are not high-skill and require only two weeks training at the most. The training wage particularly hurts youth and immigrants.

Of all poor children in Canada, one third have parents who worked full time for the whole year.

What impact would this policy change have on people’s lives in BC?

250,000 workers in British Columbia earn less that $10 an hour.(Reference) Raising the minimum wage to $10/hour would significantly improve the lives of these workers and their families.