Reminder: B.C. increasing minimum wage in June

The 2.6% increase will also apply to minimum-wage rates for resident caretakers, live-in home-support workers, live-in camp leaders, and app-based delivery and ride-hailing service workers, according to the provincial government.

Minimum agricultural piece rates for hand harvesters will increase by 2.6% on December 31, 2025. This timing aligns with the end of the harvest season, ensuring that crop producers are not required to adjust wages mid-season.

"Government has made regular, gradual increases to the minimum wage to provide certainty for workers and predictability for businesses," said the B.C. government. "This is the fourth year of the government's ongoing commitment to tie annual minimum-wage increases to inflation."

Several provinces have also announced minimum wage increases earlier this year.

How does the minimum wage increase affect businesses?

In a previous Express Employment Professionals report, Brent Pollington, Express franchise owner in Vancouver, noted: “While minimum wage is increased to account for inflation, these increases actually further contribute to inflation, making it even more expensive to do business.”

Many employers feel that passing the cost of minimum wage increases onto their customers will result in fewer people buying their goods and services, he said, “so they have to find other ways to absorb the cost, which can mean hiring fewer people and cutting hours.

“Ultimately, increased minimum wage prices people out of the market, making it harder for hard-working skilled-entry level employees like teenagers to find employment.”

Meanwhile, with the mandatory increase in pay, employers can try to find a way to stand out from their competitors, according to independent reward consultancy Reward Heads.

“While all these considerations are certainly a challenge, remember that many of your competitors will also be facing the same issues. So, time to start thinking about what can be done to get the edge.

The key is undoubtedly to be as proactive as possible. With a clear Reward strategy, informed decisions, sound planning, real creativity… your organisation can navigate these changes and come out stronger [on] the other side.”

Here’s how minimum wages across Canada stand as of May 29, 2025: