Thoughts on BC Politics and More

On October 1, low-wage workers in Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island got a much-needed raise when the governments in these provinces increased their minimum wages.  As workers across the country continue to struggle with a cost-of-living crisis, unaffordable housing and inflated food prices, a boost to minimum pay rates is welcomed, though insufficient. Other provinces, territories and the federal government adjusted their minimum wage rates earlier in the year.  As of now, this is how the minimum wage stacks up across Canada’s 14 jurisdictions ... CLICK HERE for the full story

 . . . . Greg Kyllo, the co-critic for Jobs, Trade and Technology, says he’s happy the minimum wage wage is going up, but says he feels the NDP isn’t doing enough to keep up with the cost of living. “We have an affordability crisis in this province,” he said. “What about the 31 newer increased taxes that are actually really taking a bigger bite out of people’s wallet on a daily basis? That’s the challenge" . . . . CLICK HERE for the full story

“Eat the rich” may be an attractive idea to some, but let’s face it: the rich are just too few to go around. Their wealth, on the other hand, offers plenty for all. Instead of fretting about a minimum wage for the poor, let’s set a maximum wage for the rich. Call it a million dollars a year, salary or investment income, with any excess income going straight into tax revenues. It’s a sign of our oligarchs’ power that such an idea is almost unthinkable. But Ingrid Robeyns, a philosopher and economist at Utrecht University in the Netherlands, explores in detail the idea of limiting private wealth. In her new book Limitarianism: The Case Against Extreme Wealth , she makes a persuasive case and raises some very serious moral, political and economic problems . . . . CLICK HERE for the full story

I’m not sure why, however I woke up this morning wondering what the minimum wages were for BC, and across western Canada. Both the provinces of Saskatchewan and Manitoba had increases to their minimum wages on October 1 st ... Saskatchewan to $11.32 per hour, while in Manitoba a 30-cent increase took it to $11.65. Meantime in Alberta, they have a two-step minimum wage.   Those under 18 receiving $13 per hour, while those over 18 receive $15 per hour. Here in BC, the minimum wage is $13.85 an hour; that rate was set back on June 1 st of this year.   ' Living' wage requirement in BC according to the Living Wage for Families Campaign According to a BC government media release , our provincial increases are the result of recommendations from the independent Fair Wages Commission, established in 2017 to advise government on an approach to raising provincial minimum wages with increases that are regular, measured and predictable . T...