Province eliminates 'discriminatory' practice affecting liquor servers
British Columbia is making changes to minimum wages in the province.
Effective June 1, the government is replacing the $13.95 hourly wage for liquor servers with the general minimum wage.
“I’m proud to put an end to the discriminatory minimum wage for B.C. liquor servers, which disproportionally affects women,” says Harry Bains, minister of labour. “Many of these low-income workers are the most vulnerable in workplaces, including young women as liquor servers and minorities in low-wage jobs. Raising the minimum wage will bring equity and fairness for workers and make a big difference in the lives of thousands of British Columbians.”
This move delivers on a commitment made in 2018 to bring an end to the alternative liquor server minimum wage in B.C., 80 per cent of whom are women, says the government.
“The elimination of the discriminatory server wage is cause for celebration. No one should have to rely on tips to make a fair wage. Thanks to workers and the #FightFor15, B.C. will soon have the highest [minimum] wage in Canada,” tweeted the BC Federation of Labour.
However, a recent report from the Fraser Institute suggests that minimum wage increases can raise unemployment levels because businesses often respond by laying off workers, reducing work hours or hiring less (or not at all).
Minimum wage to rise
B.C.’s minimum wage is also increasing to $15.20 an hour effective that day, up from the current rate of $14.60 per hour. Future increases to the minimum wage, starting in 2022, will be based on the rate of inflation to provide predictability going forward.
More than 13 per cent of all workers in B.C. earn less than $15 an hour, according to the government.
“Many low-income workers have been essential workers during the pandemic, and it’s only fair they receive the scheduled increase coming to them,” says Bains.
Also changing: the live-in camp leader minimum wage, to $121.65 per day from $116.86 per day; the resident caretaker minimum wage to $912.28 per month, plus $36.56 per suite for those who manage nine to 60 residential suites, and to $3,107.42 per month for 61 or more suites.
The Northwest Territories, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia have also announced minimum wage increases. However, Restaurants Canada objected to the latter.
