The BC Fair Wages Commission is in Kelowna today (Nov 21) gathering opinions on how to move the province towards a $15.00-an-hour minimum wage.
The Commission, established in October 2017, is working independently to advise government on how to raise the minimum wage with increases that are regular, measured and predictable.
BC Federation of Labour president Irene Lanzinger has already told the commission they want to see the rate increased by January 2019..
"We think that's a very reasonable time line to put to the commision and all of the exemptions should be gone as well. There shoud be no liquor server wage, there should be no exemption for farm workers, care givers or camp leaders," she says.
The Fair Wages Commission has been directed to work with economists, trade unions, the technology sector, small businesses, and youth to put forward a plan to bridge the gap between the minimum wage and a living wage in BC.
The commission will deliver a report, with its recommendations, to Minister of Labour Harry Bains by the end of the year.
Today's meeting begins at 1:00 pm at the Sandman Hotel - it's open to the public.