WHEREAS the minimum wage in British Columbia has not been adjusted in over five years, the second longest period in 40 years in British Columbia that it has not been adjusted; AND WHEREAS British Columbia has the second highest rate in Canada for employees working for minimum wage or less and full time employment at the current minimum wage would leave individuals below the poverty line established by the Government of Canada; THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Union of BC Municipalities call upon the provincial government to increase the minimum wage to 10.00 per hour.
MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND CITIZENS SERVICES As of the year 2007, British Columbias regular minimum wage rate was amongst the highest of Canadian provinces. The average hourly wage in British Columbia Province is well over 20 per hour, and the average hourly wage for youth in the Province is over 12 per hour. The current strength of the Provinces economy, combined with the growing labour shortage, has meant that the number of minimum wage earners has been falling. 2006 statistics from Statistics Canada indicate that the percentage of the Provinces workforce earning minimum wage or less is 4.6 percent. Of all other provinces, only three Alberta, New Brunswick, and Quebec had a lower share of the workforce working at the minimum wage rate or less. Further, the proportion of the Provinces workers earning less then 10.00hour is down 5 percentage points since 2001 19 percent in 2001 14 percent in 2006. 2006 statistics also show that 89 of employees working at or below the minimum wage had been in their jobs for one year or less. This indicates that the majority of minimum wage earners in British Columbia quickly move into higher paying positions. Government remains committed to supporting low income families and individuals through variety of programs and initiatives. At this time, government has no plans to increase minimum wage.