Living Wage Surges Across B.C., Reaches $27.05/Hour in Metro Vancouver

The cost of earning a living wage in British Columbia has risen significantly, with Metro Vancouver's hourly rate now at $27.05, according to a new report from the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives (CCPA).

The report shows living wages have increased across the province, with the Fraser Valley seeing a 12.44 per cent rise and the Columbia Valley experiencing a 1.19 per cent uptick. In Whistler, residents face the highest living wage in B.C. at $28.09 an hour, while Grand Forks has the lowest at $20.81 an hour.

The living wage represents the hourly earnings required for two full-time working parents to support a family of four. It does not account for debt repayment, home ownership, or long-term savings.

Factors Driving the Increase

“Sky-high” rental prices, rising child-care costs, expensive groceries, and inadequate public transit have all contributed to the rising living wage.

In Kamloops, where the living wage jumped 13.3 per cent, families often need two vehicles due to limited public transit. “Realistically, you do need to have a car to get around,” said Anastasia French, Living Wage B.C. provincial manager.

In Vancouver, where the average rent for a two-bedroom apartment is $2,181—the highest in Canada—housing remains the single largest cost driver.

The Impact on Workers

The CCPA estimates that nearly half a million workers, about 37 per cent of paid employees in Metro Vancouver, earn less than the living wage.

As of June 1, B.C.'s minimum wage is $17.40 per hour, leaving a significant gap for workers trying to meet basic needs.

Calls for Change

The report’s authors are urging employers to offer a living wage and governments to address the affordability crisis. Recommendations include increasing affordable housing, advancing the $10-a-day child-care plan, and expanding government benefits.

“We need more affordable housing. We need to move toward $10-a-day child care, which remains elusive for many families,” said Iglika Ivanova, one of the report’s authors.

Government Response

B.C. Labour Minister Jennifer Whiteside acknowledged the challenges highlighted in the report, saying the provincial government is committed to affordability initiatives.

“We know that people across the province are finding it difficult to make ends meet,” Whiteside said, pointing to measures such as raising the minimum wage, capping vehicle insurance costs, and eliminating MSP premiums.

Premier David Eby has reiterated his government’s focus on affordability, including pledges for annual tax cuts of $1,000 for households and $500 for individuals, alongside inflation-linked minimum wage increases.