On Feb. 8, the B.C. government announced its commitment to raise the provincial minimum wage each year on June 1 for the next four years:
2018: $12.65 an hour ($1.30 increase)
2019: $13.85 an hour ($1.20 increase)
2020: $14.60 an hour ($0.75 increase)
2021: $15.20 an hour ($0.60 increase)
Restaurants Canada raised concerns that these increases are not in-line with the Consumer Price Index (CPI). The government also acknowledged that the liquor server wage and a youth wage are factors that still have to be addressed.
“Maintaining the liquor server wage is important to our licensed members, as it allows licensed restaurateurs to provide higher wages to attract and retain skilled non-gratuity-earning kitchen staff. Introducing a youth wage will ensure that first-time entrants are not locked out of the workforce,” says Mark von Schellwitz, Restaurants Canada vice president for Western Canada.
We voiced the industry’s and our members’ concerns on the matter in a press release and to CBC Vancouver, Global News and CBC News.
Restaurants Canada will continue to advocate for a liquor server wage and youth wage. We will also keep an ongoing dialogue with our B.C. members so we can provide support as they adjust to the minimum wage increases.