The new NDP Government followed through on the 2017 $.50 minimum wage increases announced by the previous government. Effective September 15, British Columbia’s general minimum wage increased from .85 to .35 and the liquor server wage increased from .60 to .10.
Restaurants Canada thanked the new government for resisting pressure to implement a higher 2017 minimum wage without giving small businesses time to adjust. The new government is establishing a Fair Wage Commission to consult with stakeholders on how to best implement the NDP government’s promise to increase minimum wage to by 2021.
Restaurants Canada understands that the Fair Wage Commission mandate will not include a defined date at which time the province must reach a minimum wage, meaning that the commission may recommend either a shorter or longer time frame to reach minimum wage. The Fair Wage Commission should be announced in the next couple of weeks and will have three months to consult and report back with their recommendations. Restaurants Canada will participate in the Fair Wage Commission consultations.