The BC NDP has announced that if elected in the next general election, it would increase the minimum wage in the province to $15 per hour.
John Horgan made the announcement in Kamloops on Sunday, stating that the high cost of living warrants the increase.
“Students, parents, seniors, new Canadians – workers in every part of the economy are working harder than ever, but not making enough to make ends meet. $10.45 an hour is not enough,” said Horgan.
The BC Federation of Labour applauded the campaign promise by Horgan, who said the increase would be made by the end of his first term in office.
“British Columbians are struggling to make ends meet with the ever increasing cost of living and skyrocketing user fees,” said Irene Lanzinger, president of the BC Federation of Labour. “Christy Clark is well-aware that people working full-time in this province and earning the minimum wage are living thousands of dollars below the poverty line, but she just doesn’t care.”
According to the organization, there are over 100,000 people in B.C. earning minimum wage and nearly half a million people earning less than $15 per hour.
The 41st general election is scheduled for May 9, 2017, and this announcement marks the first election promise from a party as the campaigning officially begins.
If you get value from KelownaNow and believe local independent media is important to our community we ask that you please consider subscribing to our daily newsletter.
If you appreciate what we do, we ask that you consider supporting our local independent news platform.
