Two-thirds of British Columbians support raising the province’s minimum wage to $15 an hour, according to a new Insights West poll.
The survey, commissioned by the B.C. Federation of Labour, found only 29 per cent of people oppose the hefty minimum wage hike, compared to 68 per cent in favour.
Likewise, more than three-quarters of respondents said they believe people earning minimum wage should live above the poverty line, compared to 18 per cent who don’t think it’s necessary.
According to the Federation of Labour, the actual minimum wage hike recently announced by the provincial government – from $10.25 an hour up to $10.45 – still puts minimum wage earners $6,000 below the poverty line.
“The government’s actions have guaranteed a minimum wage earner to a life of poverty,” Federation president Irene Lanzinger said in a release.
“In a province as wealthy and prosperous as B.C., this is simply unacceptable.”
The provincial government has rejected calls for a $15 minimum wage, arguing it would impose too high a cost on businesses, but promised the minimum wage will continue to be adjusted in accordance with B.C.’s Consumer Price Index.
Asked whether the government’s hike is adequate, and after being told it will still leave B.C.’s minimum wage the 10th lowest among Canada’s provinces and territories, the bulk of survey respondents said they feel it’s too low.
One-fifth said the 20 cent hike is adequate compared to 76 who said it’s inadequate.
The majority of those polled also said a $15 an hour wage is acceptable under B.C.’s current economic condition, that it would boost the economy by giving workers more spending power, and that it would help combat income inequality in the province.
The Insights West poll was conducted from March 24 to 27 with a sample size of 813 B.C. adults. It has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.5 percentage points, 19 times out of 20.
