Calls to the provincial government to increase the minimum wage to $15/hr by the BC Federation of Labour, are not sitting well with everyone including the President of the Williams Lake Chamber of Commerce.
Angela Sommer says she is concerned about how the substantial increase would impact small business owners.
“A 30% increase in wage is what this would mean and it is extremely high for small businesses.”
“Small businesses are already struggling, so no, I don’t think this would be a very good thing for them.”
Sommer points out concerns small business owners have to the proposed increase that the President of BC Federation of Labour, Jim Sinclair, fully supports.
“Where would the money come from to pay that kind of increase in wages if there’s no increase in the economy or a stronger economy to start with.”
“I don’t know where the small businesses would find the money to pay that…Looking at Williams Lake, it would cripple a lot of small businesses.”
Irene Lanzinger, Secretary-Treasurer of the BC Federation of Labour, meanwhile says that by increasing the minimum wage businesses may experience improved retention and productivity with employees who feel valued and respected.
More than 122,000 British Columbians are earning that minimum wage of $10.25/hr.