B.C.'s minimum wage is going up, but some say workers need more

Ruth McMillanof Williams Lake, B.C., says even with an upcoming wage increase, she won't quite be making a living wage.

"I don't see it really as life-changing," said McMillan,who works as a deli clerk at a grocery store. "It will allow me to keep up a little bit with the price of groceries."

B.C.'s minimum wage will jump by more than a dollar anhour starting Thursday.

The boost to the general minimum wagewill increase it to $16.75per hour on June 1,up from $15.65.

The province says it reflects 2022's average annual inflation rate, which was nearly sevenper cent.

But even though the increase is tied to inflation, McMillan says her wage is not enough.

She says she is lucky to live with family, paying much less than what rent typically costsin her area.

"I'd be using food banks, I'd be really struggling to get by if I didn't have that," she said.

To make ends meet, McMillan says she has to purchase lower quality groceries at reduced prices, sometimesbuying mouldy produce.

"It can be tough to manage, to get by."

She says the wage increase won't help cover other costssuch asretirement savings and medical expenses that aren't covered by the province.

What is a living wage?

Anastasia French,the provincial manager for Living Wage for Families B.C., says even though this year's increase to the minimum wageis linked to inflation, it still doesn't serve as a living wage for most workers in B.C.

"I would argue that sevenper cent is a compromise," said French. "For those low-wage workers, their costs are going up at a far higher rate than even inflation."

WATCH | How does the minimum wage increase affect you?

How does the increase in minimum wage affect you?

12 months ago

Duration 24:03

B.C.'s minimum wage increases to $16.75 an hour starting June 1. What will it mean for your bottom line?

French's group advocates for employers to go beyond theminimum wageand pay workersa "living wage," the hourly rate two working adults need to earn in order to meet the basic needs of a family of four.

Metro Vancouver's living wage is $24.08 an hour, which adds up to$12,500 a year more thanthe new minimum wage, says French.

"Where are those workers going to find that extra $12,500 from?" she said.

French says people who are paid minimum wage often have to cope by cutting expenses and taking on extra work.