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$15 minimum wage discussion arrives in Nanaimo

Nov 16, 2017 | 4:17 PM

NANAIMO — The sometimes fierce conversation about whether B.C. should have a $15-per-hour minimum wage has come to Nanaimo.

Today, Friday, Nov. 17 the B.C. Fair Wages Commission is hearing presentations and comments at the Best Western Dorchester Hotel from 9:45 a.m. to 2:30 p.m about raising the per-hour amount from $11.35.

Marjorie Cohen, chair of the commission, said it’s important to take the conversation about raising the minimum wage out of the legislature and into the community.

“While we’re having some research done, we haven’t had any kind of formal interaction with people,” she told NanaimoNewsNOW. “We’ve got a lot of work ahead of us and what people tell us is incredibly important. We need to know what the experiences are of people, both living at the minimum wage or less than the living wage.”

During the consultation, Cohen said they’ll hear predominantly from business owners, concerned citizens and advocacy groups.

Kim Symthe, CEO of the Greater Nanaimo Chamber of Commerce, will present on Friday.

He said the Nanaimo business owners he’s talked to are optimistic about the minimum wage increase, as long as it’s done in an organized and gradual way.

“No one has a problem working towards a $15 minimum wage or whatever wage is established. All the business leaders I speak to understand the value of increasing the wage and a person’s earning potential because…that money is recycled back into the local economy very quickly.”

Smythe said though he’ll closely follow current discussions and decisions about raising the minimum wage, he’s focused even further in the future.

“$15 is not a goal line, it’s a mile post. It’s certainly going to go year after year into further increases, so let’s do it in some kind of ordered and deliberate manner.”

The proposed increase to the minimum wage would still not bring Nanaimo workers in line with the living wage in the region. This summer, the Living Wage for Families Campaign co-produced a report which shows a living wage for a Nanaimo family is $17.55 an hour for two parents with two kids working full-time.

Anyone who isn’t scheduled to speak to the consultation but wants to have their thoughts known can submit them online.

 

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