Skip to Main content

12.12°^C Vancouver

News Entertainment Sports 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

B.C. adds 25,000 jobs in May as unemployment rate holds at 6.8%

British Columbia added 25,000 jobs in May, according to the latest Labour Force Survey released by Statistics Canada, reversing part of the employment losses recorded earlier this year. The gain follows a three-month period from February through April during which the province lost approximately 40,000 jobs. Despite the increase in employment, B.C.'s overall unemployment rate remained unchanged at 6.8 per cent. According to Statistics Canada data, much of the job growth was concentrated in the construction and manufacturing sectors. B.C. Jobs, Economic Development and Innovation Minister Ravi

CanadaJun 05, 2026

Canada joins 11 international partners in calling for restraint amid Lebanon–Israel attacks

Canada's Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand has joined counterparts from 11 international partners, including Australia and Denmark, in issuing a joint statement expressing concern over ongoing attacks between Lebanon and Israel. The ministers welcomed ongoing ceasefire efforts aimed at reducing tensions in the region and called on all parties to exercise maximum restraint to prevent further escalation. According to the joint statement, civilians must be protected at all times. The ministers said the people of Lebanon have already endured significant hardship and stressed the importance of s

richmond-rcmp-officer-charged-with-theft-and-breach-of-trust

Richmond RCMP officer charged with theft and breach of trust

A Richmond RCMP officer has been charged with theft and breach of trust following an independent police investigation into an alleged incident that occurred on Christmas Day last year. According to the BC Prosecution Service, Const. Jae Suk Choi of the Richmond RCMP has been charged with one count of theft under $5,000 and one count of breach of trust by a public officer. The charges follow an investigation conducted by Coquitlam RCMP. Authorities said the matter relates to an alleged incident in Richmond on Dec. 25, 2025. No further details about the allegations have been released publicly. C

CanadaJun 05, 2026

Vancouver airport expands biometric boarding ahead of FIFA World Cup travel surge

Vancouver International Airport (YVR) has expanded its use of biometric boarding technology as it prepares for increased passenger volumes during the FIFA World Cup. According to airport officials, 42 biometric boarding gates are now operating across the airport. The technology is expected to speed up the boarding process by approximately 13 per cent, helping reduce wait times for travellers. The airport has also introduced new CT screening technology at security checkpoints. Under the upgraded system, passengers will no longer be required to remove liquids and large electronic devices from th

grocery-benefit-top-up-payments-begin-for-eligible-canadians

CanadaJun 05, 2026

Grocery benefit top-up payments begin for eligible Canadians

Eligible Canadians are expected to begin receiving one-time federal grocery benefit top-up payments starting today as part of the Liberal government's affordability measures. The Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit, previously known as the GST/HST credit, provides support to lower-income households to help offset rising living costs. The federal government says payments will be issued automatically to qualifying recipients through direct deposit or by mail. According to the federal government, approximately 12 million Canadians are eligible for the one-time payment. Benefit amounts vary by

Related News

B.C. adds 25,000 jobs in May as unemployment rate holds at 6.8%

B.C. adds 25,000 jobs in May as unemployment rate holds at 6.8%

British Columbia added 25,000 jobs in May, according to the latest Labour Force Survey released by Statistics Canada, reversing part of the employment losses recorded earlier this year. The gain follows a three-month period from February through April during which the province lost approximately 40,000 jobs. Despite the increase in employment, B.C.'s overall unemployment rate remained unchanged at 6.8 per cent. According to Statistics Canada data, much of the job growth was concentrated in the construction and manufacturing sectors. B.C. Jobs, Economic Development and Innovation Minister Ravi

Richmond RCMP officer charged with theft and breach of trust

Richmond RCMP officer charged with theft and breach of trust

A Richmond RCMP officer has been charged with theft and breach of trust following an independent police investigation into an alleged incident that occurred on Christmas Day last year. According to the BC Prosecution Service, Const. Jae Suk Choi of the Richmond RCMP has been charged with one count of theft under $5,000 and one count of breach of trust by a public officer. The charges follow an investigation conducted by Coquitlam RCMP. Authorities said the matter relates to an alleged incident in Richmond on Dec. 25, 2025. No further details about the allegations have been released publicly. C

Grocery benefit top-up payments begin for eligible Canadians

Grocery benefit top-up payments begin for eligible Canadians

Eligible Canadians are expected to begin receiving one-time federal grocery benefit top-up payments starting today as part of the Liberal government's affordability measures. The Canada Groceries and Essentials Benefit, previously known as the GST/HST credit, provides support to lower-income households to help offset rising living costs. The federal government says payments will be issued automatically to qualifying recipients through direct deposit or by mail. According to the federal government, approximately 12 million Canadians are eligible for the one-time payment. Benefit amounts vary by

Legals

Journalism code of ethics

© 2021 AKASH Broadcasting Inc.

MANAGED BY STRATWIT

useful links

Accessibility Plan

Broadcasting Notice of Consultation

BC Children's Hospital