Effective June 1, 2025, British Columbia will increase its general minimum wage to $17.85 per hour, up from the current $17.40. This 2.6% rise, in line with the province’s inflation-based wage adjustment policy, ensures BC continues to offer one of the highest provincial minimum wages in Canada.

The wage hike will apply across various employment categories, including:

Liquor servers
Live-in camp leaders
Resident caretakers
Live-in home support workers

While this increase is a step toward cost-of-living relief for low-wage earners, it has also reignited debates around wage adequacy in urban centres like Metro Vancouver, where the 2024 living wage was pegged at $27.05 per hour. Critics argue that the new wage still leaves a significant gap between actual earnings and the income needed to cover basic expenses such as housing, food, transportation, and childcare in high-cost regions.

The BC government maintains that its annual wage review mechanism, tied to the Consumer Price Index, provides predictable and transparent wage growth. However, labour advocates and some economists continue to push for living wage frameworks that reflect regional variations in affordability.

This wage update may also impact international workers and newcomers, many of whom begin their Canadian journey in entry-level roles within BC’s hospitality, retail, caregiving, and food services sectors.

Considering working in British Columbia or relocating to a high-demand region in Canada?

At Global Opportunities, we help workers and skilled migrants understand provincial labour trends and navigate immigration pathways with clarity.

Contact us for personalized guidance and updated job market insights.

BC'S MINIMUM WAGE RISES TO $17.85 PER HOUR