B.C.'s minimum wage will increase to $10.25 per hour on Tuesday, May 1, Minister of Labour, Citizens' Services and Open Government Margaret MacDiarmid confirmed.

At the same time, the minimum wage rate for liquor servers will increase to $9.00 per hour.

This is the third increase to the minimum wage over the past year, and follows on Premier Christy Clark's commitment in March 2011 to increase minimum wage in three stages to $10.25 per hour by May 1, 2012, providing more support for B.C. workers and families in every region of the province.

Non-hourly rates paid to camp leaders, live-in home support workers and resident caretakers will be adjusted at the same time in proportion to the increase in minimum wage.

Quotes:

Minister of Labour, Citizens' Services and Open Government Margaret MacDiarmid -

"British Columbians who made $8.00 per hour last year, could now have more than an additional $4,000 in their pockets this year. That's good news for individuals and families- and that's good news for the economy."

"By listening to employers, giving them lots of advance notice, and staging the increase in small increments over the past year, we were also able to help businesses plan effectively for the change."

Lucia Orser, UVIC Students Society, director external relations -

"I'm very pleased with the increase. Over half of minimum wage earners are young people aged 15 to 24 - many of them students."

"This increase in minimum wage will help to support them as they prepare and plan for funding their post-secondary education."

Andrew Klukas, acting president, Western Convenience Stores Association -

"I appreciate the openness of the consultation process, and the certainty for our sector from incremental and predictable minimum wage increases."

Learn More:

If you earn the general minimum wage, liquor servers' rate or get paid by piece rate, you can find out how these changes may affect you at: http://www.labour.gov.bc.ca/esb/announcements/min_wage.htm.

A backgrounder follows.

Contacts:

Jason Macnaughton
Manager Communications
Ministry of Labour, Citizens' Services and Open Government
250 387-0172

Lucia Orser
Director, External Relations
UVIC Students Society
250 744-8157

Andrew Klukas
Acting President
Western Convenience Stores Association
778 987-4440

BACKGROUNDER

May 1, 2012 Ministry of Labour, Citizens' Services and Open Government

Information about B.C.'s minimum wage

On March 16, 2011, Premier Christy Clark announced an incremental increase to the minimum wage in British Columbia.

General Minimum Wage

Prior to May 1, 2011 $8.00/hour

May 1, 2011 $8.75

Nov. 1, 2011 $9.50

May 1, 2012 $10.25

• The First Job wage was repealed on May 1, 2011. All workers except those noted below must be paid at least the general minimum wage rate.

Alcohol server wage for liquor servers

Prior to May 1, 2011 $8.00/hour

May 1, 2011 $8.50

Nov. 1, 2011 $8.75

May 1, 2012 $9.00

• The alcohol server wage applies to employees who serve liquor directly to customers or guests in licensed premises as a regular part of their work.

Alternate minimum pay provisions

• Camp leaders, live-in home support workers and resident caretakers will receive corresponding increases on a percentage basis.

Wondering about your rights or responsibilities in the workplace? The Employment Standards Branch can provide assistance in person, online at http://www.labour.gov.bc.ca/esb/ or through a toll-free number (1 800 663-3316). Information about employee rights is available in English, French, Chinese, Punjabi, Hindi, Filipino and Spanish.

Contacts:

Jason Macnaughton
Manager Communications
Ministry of Labour, Citizens' Services and Open Government
250 387-0172

Lucia Orser
Director, External Relations
UVIC Students Society
250 744-8157

Andrew Klukas
Acting President
Western Convenience Stores Association
778 987-4440