VICTORIA – After a six year freeze, it’s time to give B.C.’s lowest paid workers a raise, NDP Leader Carole James said today.

“For six years, Gordon Campbell has frozen the minimum wage leaving many BritishCarole James Columbians behind,” said James. “The B.C. Liberals are out of touch with the workers of our province trying desperately to make ends meet. Last month the government flat out rejected the prospect of an increase which shows the B.C. Liberals don’t care about our province’s lowest paid workers.”

In British Columbia, the minimum wage was last increased in 2001. Every province in Canada has raised the minimum wage in the past two years except British Columbia where minimum wage workers earn significantly less than Canada’s Low Income Cut-off (LICO). These workers are most often women, youth and members of low-income families.

James also called on the government to index the minimum wage so workers are treated fairly in the years to come and employers get the certainty they need to plan for incremental increases.

“B.C.’s lowest paid workers should never be faced with a six year freeze again,” said James. “The minimum wage should be indexed to ensure the lowest paid workers are not left behind.”

While meeting with workers and business groups across the province about the minimum wage, the New Democrat Caucus also heard the need for government to reduce costs for the small business sector.

“British Columbia’s small business tax rate was last reduced in 2000 and like B.C.’s lowest paid workers, our small businesses need a break,” said James. “I am calling on Gordon Campbell to commit to a full point reduction in the small business tax rate. We need to support the small businesses sector and its strong contribution to our economy.”

The proposed tax rate reduction will reduce taxes for businesses with taxable income below $400,000 including more than 200,000 self-employed British Columbians who earn a median income of $29,000.

“Together, the tax rate reduction and minimum wage lift is a balanced approach to supporting our lowest paid workers and promoting growth in B.C.’s small business sector,” said James.

Backgrounder attached.

Carole James

Victoria-Beacon Hill

Carole has served as the MLA for Victoria-Beacon Hill since 2005.