Good News! BC Raises the Minimum Wage

The new premier has just given a big present to minimum wage workers in British Columbia. From the Vancouver Sun newspaper:

The minimum wage in British Columbia is going up, Premier Christy Clark announced Wednesday.

Clark said the minimum wage will increase in increments, starting with a jump to $8.75 per hour on May 1 from the current rate of $8 per hour.

The wage will increase again to $9.50 on Nov. 1, and then to $10.25 on May 1, 2012.

"When fully implemented the full-time minimum wage worker will have close to more than $4,000 in additional dollars in his or her pocket to support themselves and their families," said Clark.

"This is going to help them to succeed and it will help them to create stronger, more stable families."

That's a bit over a 28% increase in their wages. That is good news for lots of people struggling on very low wages. It will also create a ripple effect and move wages for many people up. This means workers in BC will now have the 2nd highest minimum wage in Canada!