B.C.’s New Democrat government was under immense pressure when it came to raising the minimum wage this week.
On the one side, union allies were pushing it to hold the line on a policy promise to link the minimum wage to the rate of inflation.
On the other, the business community was pleading with government to cap the rate hike during a skyrocketing year of inflation that threatens to decimate already-beleaguered businesses, especially in the restaurant sector.
The NDP, ultimately, let the rate rise the full amount. The minimum wage will jump 6.9 per cent in June, from $15.65 an hour to $16.75.
There are two main factors at play.
The first is pressure from other provinces. The NDP used to pride itself in leading Canada on the minimum wage. But Ontario beat it to the punch last week, announcing it had green-lit a 6.8 per cent to $16.55 an hour later this year.
In its press release, the Conservative Ontario government, who you might assume would be catering first to business interests, called the increase a “fair and balanced approach that means more money in their pockets so they can support their families and continuing building a stronger Ontario for all of us.”
Ontario also took a gleeful little shot at B.C. in its public materials.
“Ontario’s new minimum wage is the highest of any province in the country,” read its news release.
“For example, Quebec has a minimum wage of $14.25 an hour, British Columbia has a minimum wage of $15.65 an hour, and Alberta has a minimum...
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