Letter to the Editor

May 22, 2007

Now that the provincial government has chosen to give MLAs a 29% pay increase, we should take a closer look at other groups that really need an increase in pay. Minimum wage workers now earn $8 an hour. If their pay were increased by 29% their new rate would be $10.32 an hour. Coincidentally, that new minimum wage would put a full-time worker almost at the current poverty line for a single person. Surely, the government must now heed those calling for a $10 minimum wage, indexed to inflation.

Consider also that a single welfare recipient in the "expected to work" category currently receives about $7,700 per year, while those who are disabled receive about $11,300. Compare these amounts to the $21,900 salary boost the government is giving to MLAs. Surely if the government can justify giving such a large increase to MLAs, it should recognize that there is also a need to increase welfare payments by a significant amount.

Raising welfare rates and minimum wages would relieve much hardship and go a long way towards fighting poverty. In the context of MLA pay hikes, there is an increased expectation that those in much greater need should get the attention they deserve.

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Stuart Murray
Researcher
Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives - BC Office