17.16°C Vancouver

May 21, 2020 10:46 PM -

B.C.'s minimum wage increase of 75 cents will go ahead as planned: Minister

Share On
b-c-s-minimum-wage-increase-of-75-cents-will-go-ahead-as-planned-minister
Chairs are turned upside down on the bar at a closed restaurant, amid concerns about the spread of the coronavirus, in Vancouver, on Tuesday, March 17, 2020. As some British Columbia businesses prepare to reopen their doors on Tuesday when the province enters the second phase of its COVID-19 restart plan, others say they're holding off while they grapple with new health protocols. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

British Columbia businesses devastated by the COVID-19 pandemic will still have to pay a scheduled increase in the minimum wage next month just as many are struggling to get back in operation.

Labour Minister Harry Bains says the province will push ahead with the planned minimum wage increase on June 1 to $14.60 per hour from $13.85 an hour.

He says the lowest paid workers need money in their pockets to help them support their livelihoods and contribute more dollars to local businesses.

Bains says B.C.'s economic restart plan launched this week after steady declines in COVID-19 cases aims to restore business confidence for employees, employers and customers during the ongoing pandemic.

He says the easing of some health restrictions allows for the full reopening of restaurants, hair salons, dental offices and other personal services, but employers and employees must follow WorkSafeBC guidelines to prevent a second wave of the novel coronavirus.

Bains says businesses can expect random inspections from officials who will be looking to enforce physical distancing requirements and the public posting of safety plans.


Latest news

major-police-operation-near-kilmore-crescent-area-in-surrey-sps-confirms-multiple-arrests
BCOct 05, 2025

Major police operation near Kilmore Crescent area in Surrey, SPS confirms multiple arrests

A major police operation was carried out in the area of ​​Kilmore Crescent, near 152nd Street and 60th Avenue, in Surrey today. During this time, a large number of police officers approached a house in the area and multiple people were arrested. The police are yet to release any official information in the case, but some residents of the neighborhood told the Connect FM team that at least 3 people were arrested. Connect FM spoke to Sergeant Tige Pollock, Media Relations Officer for Surrey Police Service, for more information on the matter. He said “a police team is still at the property
anand-set-to-host-fellow-g7-foreign-ministers-in-november-near-niagara-falls
CanadaOct 03, 2025

G7 Foreign Ministers to Meet in Niagara Region Next Month for Security and Economic Talks

Canada will host foreign ministers from the Group of Seven nations next month for two days of high-level discussions on global security and economic resilience. The meetings, scheduled for November 11 and 12, will take place in Ontario’s Niagara Region. Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand will chair the session, welcoming her counterparts from France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, the United States, and representatives of the European Union. The gathering follows a ministerial meeting held in Quebec earlier this year and the G7 leaders’ summit in Alberta in June. Global Affai
police-first-responders-scramble-to-help-woman-give-birth-on-victoria-waterfront
BCOct 03, 2025

Police, first responders scramble to help woman give birth on Victoria waterfront

Emergency responders in Victoria, B.C., had to rush into action to support a woman giving birth on Wharf Street, along the city's busy waterfront area. Victoria police say an officer and St. John Ambulance members were working at a local event on Sept. 20 when a passerby notified them of a woman in labour. Police say the officer and other responders found the woman who was in active labour and helped support her along with other members of the public. The newborn was delivered before paramedics could arrive. Police say the baby appeared healthy while being cared for by emergency responders, al
b-c-public-workers-expand-pickets-again-to-more-liquor-cannabis-retail-stores
BCOct 03, 2025

B.C. public workers expand pickets again to more liquor, cannabis retail stores

Striking public service workers in British Columbia have expanded pickets at provincial liquor and cannabis stores again, adding 20 more locations to the list. The B.C. General Employees’ Union says the escalation also includes job action by front-line staff at several ministry offices. It says more than 17,000 public service workers are now taking job action across the province, which is half the 34,000 workers represented by the union. Union president Paul Finch says in a statement that every day the government delays, pressure on public services will grow, and it will continue to step up
kapil-sharmas-kaps-cafe-reopens-in-canada
BCOct 03, 2025

Kap's Cafe reopens again after second shooting incident

Kap's Cafe, which was the target of two shootings in Surrey, has reopened again. The cafe was closed for about 10 days after the first shooting on July 10. Kapil Sharma had initially shared a post about the cafe's reopening, but within weeks of reopening in July, the cafe was again the target of a shooting in early August. The cafe reopened again on October 1, the Connect FM team reached the cafe on Thursday (Oct. 2nd) and tried to get comments from the cafe manager. The manager denied any comment on camera and said that the management had refused to provide any official information. At aroun

Related News