The B.C. government is indexing increases in the general minimum
hourly wage and liquor server wage to B.C.’s Consumer Price Index (CPI),
Minister for Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training, and Minister Responsible for
Labour, Shirley Bond announced today.

The government is committed to reasonable and predictable yearly minimum wage
increases linked to B.C. CPI. Going forward, from 2016 onward, the minimum
wage will be determined using a formula calculated upon the percentage the
B.C. Consumer Price Index (CPI) increased in the previous calendar year. In
years where there is a negative CPI change, the minimum wage would stay the
same.

In addition, this indexing formula is being applied to the period since the
last minimum wage increase in 2012. Effective Sept. 15, 2015, the general
minimum hourly wage will increase from $10.25 to $10.45 and the liquor server
wage from $9.00 to $9.20 per hour.

The daily rate for live-in home support workers and live-in camp leaders, as
well as the monthly rates for resident caretakers and the farm worker piece
rates (for harvesters of certain fruits and vegetables) are increased
proportionate to the 20-cent increase in the general minimum hourly wage. All
of the new rates will take effect on Sept. 15, 2015.

Government will announce the yearly increase to the minimum wage in March to
take effect Sept. 15 each year, giving businesses the necessary lead time to
implement the new minimum wage without undue hardship.