Beginning in June, workers on minimum wage in British Columbia will only earn below those in Nunavut, where the rate is $19 per hour, and the Yukon, with a minimum wage set to increase to $17.59 per hour as of April 1, 2024.
Per the news release, this adjustment is in line with the province’s average inflation rate for 2023. The same 3.9% hike will also apply to special minimum rates for residential caretakers, live-in home support workers, and camp leaders from June 1, with piece rates for 15 hand-harvested crops following on December 31, 2024.
“B.C. has gone from having one of the lowest minimum wages in the country to the highest of all the provinces. We made a commitment to tie minimum-wage increases to the rate of inflation to prevent B.C.’s lowest-paid workers from falling behind,” said Harry Bains, Minister of Labour, announcing the news yesterday.
B.C will also make the annual wage adjustments tied to the previous year’s inflation rate through Bill 2, aiming to provide both workers and employers with more predictability and stability.
Annual wage rate increases will occur on June 1, with the exception of agricultural piece rates, which will adjust on December 31 to accommodate the crop harvesting season.
Last year, the province raised the minimum wage by 6.9%, reflecting the 2022 cost of living increase.
Kelowna 
