Minimum wage has been gradually increased over the years, moving “We are going to work with the city of Vancouver and other cities on

from $8.75 in 2011 to its present $10.85 per hour. Still, a full-time worker issues in respect with vacancy and speculation and supply,” said BC
living on such a wage is difficult. A full-time monthly salary on the premier Christy Clark to CBC. “All of those issues are on the table.
minimum wage is approximately $2,600 per month, before deductions. Nothing is off the table for discussion.”

One potential renter in Vancouver would be hard-pressed to find
anything private under $1,200. Add the cost of energy, internet, food,
and transportation, and those living off of minimum wage have barely
any income left to enjoy small pleasures, like a night at the movies or a

So what do BC's politicians have to offer young adults across the
province? The provincial parties started rolling out their platforms last
week, but have yet to entirely release their platforms. So far, it seems

that their answers have been merely vague and indecisive.
restaurant.

. . . . . It is up to the voters to keep the government on their toes about
“Even if they work full time, they live below the poverty line,” said Irene P P g

Lanzinger, president of the BC Federation of Labour, to CBC. “[Their
annual income is] $4,000 below the poverty line.”

important issues. With enough pressure, political parties will listen.

The BC Federation of Labour delivered a petition for a $15 minimum
wage with 56,000 signatures to BC Legislature on March 15. Their
cause was quickly adopted by BC NDP leader John Horgan. It is
assumed that the BC NDP will be adopting the $15 minimum wage as
a major part of its election platform.

A minimum wage of $15 is still far from what is considered a living
wage, yet it could be the first step in bridging the gap.

However, is increasing minimum wage to $15 so quickly really
a wise decision? Sure, it will help out those working service
and hospitality jobs, yet the wage increase could be at

the cost of employment opportunities. David Green, a

UBC economist, predicts that the wage increase could

cost 7.6 per cent of available jobs that pay minimum

wage, according to a study titled The Case for Increasing
Minimum Wage.

Housing prices are another hot ticket item in the
upcoming election according to the polling done by both
the BC Liberal party and the BC NDP. Housing ranked as
British Columbian’s top interest in the election, and the
current housing market is a daunting one for young adults
who wish to own their own homes one day.

While housing remains affordable outside of BC’s metro
areas, the price of housing has skyrocketed within Metro
Vancouver in recent years. Properties in Vancouver cost
tar into the millions, and the cost of housing in nearby
municipalities seems to only be following suit.

It is speculated that foreign ownership has contributed to
the inflation of housing in Vancouver. Despite a 15 per cent
tax introduced to foreign buyers in 2016, there have been little
improvements to the housing market. It seems that there are houses
in Vancouver that are sitting empty and unsold. The tax has
discouraged foreign ownership of these homes, but their prices
still sit too high for the average person or family to afford.