Federation says boost in B.C. minimum wage still means poverty for thousands
VANCOUVER — The B.C. government has increased the provincial minimum wage by 40 cents an hour but critics say the hike still leaves half a million workers earning poverty-level wages.
The minimum wage edged up to $10.85 per hour on Thursday, while the same wage for liquor servers increased to $9.60.
BC Federation of Labour president Irene Lanzinger says that despite the raise, one of out every four workers in the province earns poverty wages below $15 per hour.
She says the federation will continue to lobby for a minimum wage of at least $15 an hour, arguing it will improve living standards for employees and their families.