The last set increase of B.C.’s minimum wage is set to come into effect on Tuesday.
It’ll go up to $ 10.25 an hour, up from $ 9.50.
B.C. Federation of Labour president Jim Sinclair says it’s good for both workers and the economy.
“But it’s certainly not enough. To live in the lower mainland, you need to earn at least $ 11.25 or $ 11.50 to even be at the poverty level as a single person.”
The government announced the successive raises last year, and they started in May.
The minimum wage for liquor servers also goes up on Tuesday, to $ 9 an hour. The government has said their wages won’t go to the full $ 10.25 because they make so much in tips.
Ian Tostenson, president of the B.C. Restaurant and Foodservices Association, says a 28 percent hike in just over a year is a hefty one for restaurant owners.
“That’s been kind of tough, in face of a few things. And we still have the ongoing consumer confidence issue, but on top of that, we have increasing commodity costs, food costs, and also fuel costs.”
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