Jan 18, 2011

BC’s $8 minimum wage sets another record (low)

By Iglika Ivanova

Did you know that BC, the home of the lowest minimum wage in Canada, just recently became the province with the longest minimum wage freeze in recent history? That is to say, since at least the mid-1960s when HRSDC data starts. BC’s minimum wage has now been stuck at $8 for nine years two months and still counting.

If you were curious, this dubious honor used to belong to Ontario where minimum wages were frozen at $6.85 for a full nine years and one month between Jan. 1, 1995 to Feb 1, 2004.

In the meantime, the cost of living in our province — as measured by the Consumer Price Index — increased by over 16%.

Topics: Economy, Employment & labour

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About the author

Iglika Ivanova

Iglika Ivanova is a Senior Economist and the Public Interest Researcher at the CCPA’s BC Office. She researches and writes on key social and economic challenges facing BC and Canada, including poverty, economic insecurity and labour market shifts towards more precarious work. Iglika is Co-Director of the Understanding Precarity in BC Project (UP-BC).

Iglika also investigates issues of government finance, tax policy and privatization and how they relate to the accessibility and quality of public services. She is particularly interested in the potential for public policy to build a more just, inclusive and sustainable economy. Follow Iglika on Twitter

We deliver timely, progressive commentary on issues that affect British Columbians, including the economy, poverty, inequality, climate change, provincial budgets, taxes, public services, employment and much more.

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BC’s $8 minimum wage sets another record (low)

BC’s $8 minimum wage sets another record (low)

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