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B.C. minimum wage to get boost

Last increase was 20 cents to $10.45, and Premier Christy Clark's government has decided inflation formula isn't enough
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Jobs Minister Shirley Bond

B.C.'s minimum wage will get an extra bump in September because of improved economic growth, Jobs Minister Shirley Bond says.

Bond issued a statement Friday saying the new rate will be announced this spring, and it will go beyond the current annual increase based on the federal Consumer Price Index.

"The scheduled increase, based on this year's B.C. CPI, does not reflect the economic circumstances of the province," Bond said.

The formula added 20 cents to the hourly minimum wage last September, bringing it to $10.45 an hour. The rate for restaurant and pub servers, discounted due to tip income, went up from $9 to $9.20.

The B.C. Federation of Labour, which led a "10 bucks sucks" campaign to promote an increase that took effect in 2010, is now calling for a $15 minimum wage.

Using the CPI formula, it might take until 2034 for to reach $15, the federation says.