Despite CFIB’s recommendations, and proposed alternatives, on June 1, 2019, B.C.’s minimum wage went up to $13.85 per hour. The liquor server’s minimum wage increased to $12.70 per hour.
Minimum Wage Increase Schedule
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June 1, 2018: $12.65 an hour |
Strategies to prepare for the minimum wage increase
This is a difficult proposition for any business, let alone a small business that already operates on thin margins (as most small businesses do), however, to follow are some ideas that can potentially be implemented now, to brace for the coming hike.
Wage subsidies and government funding available to you
The Canada Business Network is a wonderful resource from the federal government that gives information on all of the government grants, subsidies, and credits available to you. If you follow each link and enter your region at the top, you will find all of the possible funding sources available to you.
Specifically, follow this link to view wage subsidies that might be available to your employees, while they are being training. There is one in particular, the Canada-B.C. Job Grant that is worthy to note. You can receive up to $10,000 per grant towards your employees training. Each funding opportunity will have different requirements of a business/employer, however, they are awarded on a first-come, first-serve basis to eligible companies, so the sooner you apply the better!
There is “Hire a Student” funding called the Get Youth Working Program, funded by the B.C. government. One thing you may choose to do, to stay current with the B.C. government’s funding offerings is to subscribe to sign up for the B.C. FundConnect eNews. As soon as any new funding source is released, specific to B.C., you will get an instant update and instructions on how to apply!
Here are a couple other programs directly related to hiring students:
- Canada Summer Jobs
- If you hire students for the summer, this subsidy could help you cover 50% of their wages.
- Career Focus
- You could get funding to hire young people if you can give them useful work experience.
- College and Institutes Canada Clean Tech Internship
- Employers can receive a wage subsidy to hire an intern for an environmental position.
- Youth Employment Program
- You could obtain financial assistance to hire a skilled post-secondary graduate to work on your innovative project.
For Provincial Apprenticeship Tax credits and information, please follow the link provided.
Check out this story for effective ways to motivate your staff