12. Should the living wage become the minimum wage?

We’ve known for many years that the minimum wage in BC has been too low. The minimum wage did not increase for ten years before it was raised to $8.00 from $7.60 in 2011. If the minimum wage had kept pace with regular increases and had been tied to the cost of living, the gap between the minimum wage and the living wage would be much smaller than it is now. It would not be feasible for the government to increase the minimum wage overnight, but eventually we would like to see legislated wages that mean people can afford to live in their communities. In a society as wealthy as ours, people should not have to make impossible choices like deciding to pay rent or buy food for their children.

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1. 1. What are the living wages in BC?
2. 2. How is the 2019 living wage different from previous years?
3. 3. Why are the 2019 living wages lower?
4. 4. Are all families with children benefitting from these new child care investments?
5. 5. Why do you calculate for a family of four/ What about other family types?
6. 6. What about housing expenses?
7. 7. What should employers pay this year?
8. 8. What is the living wage/ How is the living wage calculated?
9. 9. Why is the living wage calculated every year?
10. 10. Why does the living wage vary across the province?
11. 11. How does the living wage compare to the minimum wage?
12. 12. Should the living wage become the minimum wage?
13. 13. Does this relate to the provincial government’s new legislation on employment standards?