By Matt Fetinko

Province set to increase minimum wage Monday

May 28, 2020 | 3:56 PM

PRINCE GEORGE — As Phase Three of BC’s Restart Plan begins Monday, another change will happen as well. The province’s minimum wage will increase 75 cents to $14.60 per hour.

COVID-19 has made it difficult for businesses, especially small business, and this may be the straw that breaks the camel’s back for many.

“In BC, 98 percent of our business is small business. They drive the economy. They are suffering and a lot of them will not survive the COVID-19 crisis. A lot of them have already succumbed to the financial pressures that we have here,” Mike Morris, Prince George-Mackenzie MLA, said. “For Government to implement any kind of a feature that adds cost to businesses is ill-conceived and something they should take a second look at.”

Meanwhile, many workers will benefit from the increase. An important piece for government, who feel extra cash in their pockets will come full circle. In a recent press conference, BC Labour Minister Harry Bains said, “the lowest-paid workers in BC need help as well. They need money in their pockets so they will go out and invest in the local businesses who are suffering right now, it will help local businesses in their own communities.”

Surveys have been put out in recent years with local businesses largely OK with a gradual increase in the minimum wage, given certain criteria so they could strategize. However, unforeseen issues like COVID-19 would throw a wrench in those plans.

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“Traditionally, an increase in any wage gap will add some supplementary money to the economy,” explained Todd Corrigall, Prince George Chamber of Commerce CEO. “However, we are in very challenging times right now so it is taking money out of small businesses and not necessarily increasing the local economy.”

The increase is part of a multi-year plan by the Province seeing annual increases until reaching $15.20 per hour, which is scheduled to take effect in 2021.