Skip to Main content

10.74°^C Vancouver

News Entertainment Videos Shows Podcast Contact Us

Jun 1, 2020 4:13 PM -

Minimum wage goes up June 1 in B.C. as businesses face COVID-19 challenges

Share On

minimum-wage-goes-up-june-1-in-b-c-as-businesses-face-covid-19-challenges

B.C. Labour Minister Harry Bains arrives at the start of the debate at B.C. Legislature in Victoria, B.C., on Monday, June 26, 2017. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito

BC's Labour Minister Harry Bains says he understands the pressures facing employers during the COVID-19 pandemic, but workers are also struggling and the minimum wage will increase as planned on Monday.

The BC government announced a series of minimum wage increases in 2018 and the June 1st wage boost goes up 75 cents per hour to $14.60.

Bains says Labour Ministry data shows 60 per cent of people earning minimum wage in BC are female and 93 per cent of the province's minimum wage paying jobs are in the service sector, including cleaning services, grocery stores and restaurants.

He says businesses are able to receive tax breaks and payment deferral options as part of the government's $5 billion pandemic relief plan, which also includes a $1.5 billion economic recovery fund.

Statistics Canada reported BC's unemployment rate jumped to 11.5 per cent in April, with almost 400,000 lost jobs since March as businesses laid off workers, with some closing permanently.

BC's minimum wage is will go up to $15.20 an hour by June 2021.

Latest news

envoy-talks-about-why-indias-trust-in-canada-is-shaken

EnglishOct 21, 2025

Envoy talks about why India's trust in Canada is shaken

Some statements made by the Indian government's High Commissioner in Ottawa, Dinesh Patnaik, have become a topic of discussion. New Delhi's envoy to Ottawa, Dinesh Patnaik claims that Canada's image in India has been damaged due to violent statements by some Sikh separatists. In an interview with the Canadian Press, he claims that the damage is such that it has become an obstacle in resetting India-Canada diplomatic relations and has also hindered the boost of trade relations between the two countries. In his statements, Patnaik also raised questions on the statements of former Prime Minist

west-shore-rcmp-officers-begin-using-body-worn-cameras-to-enhance-transparency

West Shore RCMP officers begin using body-worn cameras to enhance transparency

Frontline RCMP officers in the West Shore area are now equipped with body-worn cameras as part of a new initiative aimed at increasing transparency and accountability in policing. The detachment says the cameras will record officers’ interactions with the public in real time, helping gather evidence and document events more clearly. Officers have received training on the proper use of the technology, including how and when to activate the devices and how to securely store recorded footage. According to the RCMP, the program is governed by national privacy and data management standards to ens

prime-minister-carney-celebrates-blue-jays-world-series-return-after-dramatic-game-7-win

CanadaOct 21, 2025

Prime Minister Carney celebrates Blue Jays’ World Series return after dramatic Game 7 win

Prime Minister Mark Carney says he is “super pumped” after the Toronto Blue Jays clinched their first American League pennant in more than three decades with a comeback victory over the Seattle Mariners. Speaking to reporters in Ottawa on Tuesday, Carney praised outfielder George Springer’s three-run home run that lifted the Jays to a 4–3 win in Game 7. The shot, which came despite Springer being hit on the knee earlier in the series, secured Toronto’s first trip to the World Series since 1993. Carney said the victory evoked memories of Joe Carter’s iconic walk-off home run that s

lamborghini-impounded-as-bc-highway-patrol-reminds-drivers-of-winter-tire-rules

Lamborghini impounded as BC Highway Patrol reminds drivers of winter tire rules

BC Highway Patrol is reminding drivers across the province to equip their vehicles with proper winter tires after a luxury sports car was impounded for speeding and failing to meet seasonal driving requirements. On October 13, 2025, a Highway Patrol motorcycle officer on Highway 99 near Porteau Cove clocked a northbound Lamborghini Huracán travelling at 165 kilometres per hour in an 80 zone. The 34-year-old North Vancouver driver was stopped and received multiple fines under the Motor Vehicle Act, including for excessive speed, failing to display a front licence plate, and not meeting winter

AlbertaOct 21, 2025

Vote counting resumes in municipal elections across Alberta

Vote counting in Alberta's municipal and school board elections has resumed. Few results were available after polls closed Monday night, as rule changes made by Premier Danielle Smith's government require votes be counted by hand rather than with machines. As of this morning, fewer than 25 per cent of polls for Edmonton's mayoral race have reported, with longtime councillor Andrew Knack leading over fellow councillor Tim Cartmell. In Calgary, unofficial results have former councillor Jeremy Farkas unseating incumbent mayor Jyoti Gondek, who has conceded. Jasper Mayor Richard Ire

Related News

West Shore RCMP officers begin using body-worn cameras to enhance transparency

West Shore RCMP officers begin using body-worn cameras to enhance transparency

Frontline RCMP officers in the West Shore area are now equipped with body-worn cameras as part of a new initiative aimed at increasing transparency and accountability in policing. The detachment says the cameras will record officers’ interactions with the public in real time, helping gather evidence and document events more clearly. Officers have received training on the proper use of the technology, including how and when to activate the devices and how to securely store recorded footage. According to the RCMP, the program is governed by national privacy and data management standards to ens

Lamborghini impounded as BC Highway Patrol reminds drivers of winter tire rules

Lamborghini impounded as BC Highway Patrol reminds drivers of winter tire rules

BC Highway Patrol is reminding drivers across the province to equip their vehicles with proper winter tires after a luxury sports car was impounded for speeding and failing to meet seasonal driving requirements. On October 13, 2025, a Highway Patrol motorcycle officer on Highway 99 near Porteau Cove clocked a northbound Lamborghini Huracán travelling at 165 kilometres per hour in an 80 zone. The 34-year-old North Vancouver driver was stopped and received multiple fines under the Motor Vehicle Act, including for excessive speed, failing to display a front licence plate, and not meeting winter

B.C. to extend unpaid leave for 'catastrophic' illness, injury: Eby

B.C. to extend unpaid leave for 'catastrophic' illness, injury: Eby

The British Columbia government is proposing changes to the province's Employment Standards Act to allow up to 27 weeks of unpaid leave each year for people facing what Premier David Eby described as "catastrophic" illness or injury. Eby told a news conference in Victoria that the change would take effect this fall if the bill is passed by his New Democrat majority government. He says the leave would ensure people undergoing treatment such as chemotherapy could take the time they need without worrying about job security. Labour Minister Jennifer Whiteside joined Eby, saying workers deserve to

Legals

Journalism code of ethics

© 2021 AKASH Broadcasting Inc.

MANAGED BY STRATWIT

useful links

Accessibility Plan

BC Children's Hospital