Following consultations with British Columbians, businesses, and labour organizations, an independent report on updating B.C.’s Labour Relations Code has been made public, as government considers its recommendations.

To deliver on the Fair Wages Commission’s next phase of work to make life more affordable for workers, Danielle van Jaarsveld, professor at the University of British Columbia (UBC) Sauder School of Business, has been appointed the new chair effective Oct. 1, 2018.

The British Columbia government has proclaimed Friday, July 27, 2018, as Ginger Goodwin Day, to celebrate Albert (Ginger) Goodwin, a pioneer of B.C.’s labour movement.

Karen Taylor, a UBC agricultural economist, has been retained by the provincial government to study agriculture piece rates and the minimum wages for farm workers who harvest crops by hand.

Employers in British Columbia should note that the general hourly minimum wage will increase to $12.65 from $11.35, and the minimum wage rates for liquor servers, resident caretakers and live-in camp leaders will also all increase, effective Friday, June 1, 2018.

The Government of British Columbia has underscored its commitment to work with Indigenous peoples in the spirit of respect and collaboration by introducing a set of draft principles designed to guide the daily work of provincial government employees. Don Wright, head of the BC Public Service shared the draft principles with all 27,000 public service employees on Tuesday, May 22, 2018.

Harry Bains, Minister of Labour, has issued the following statement today, to recognize May 1, 2018, as International Workers’ Day:

Workers who earn an alternate minimum wage — including liquor servers, piece-rate farm workers, resident caretakers and live-in camp leaders — will soon see a pay raise, Minister of Labour Harry Bains announced today.