August 1,2025
RED FM News Desk
With the economy remaining unstable and the U.S.-driven trade war with Canada escalating through newly imposed tariffs, a troubling picture is emerging of how deeply British Columbians are struggling financially.
Anastasia French, managing director of Living Wage BC, says a significant number of workers aren’t earning enough to cover basic needs like food and housing, putting their ability to live in the province at risk. The current living wage in Metro Vancouver is $27.05 per hour, yet one in three workers earns less than that.
The situation is worse for certain groups: women are less likely to earn a living wage compared to men, and racialized workers are significantly less likely to earn enough than white workers. In fact, half of all racialized women in Metro Vancouver don’t make enough to cover essential expenses.
Low wages are found across various industries—from food service to construction, entry-level office jobs, and more. One in five workers in the region earns less than $20 an hour—well below the living wage.
While Employment Insurance (EI) can offer temporary relief, it often falls short of covering the cost of living, depending on how much the individual previously contributed.
Meanwhile, the wealth gap continues to widen. French notes that while executives and senior managers at major companies remain financially secure, many frontline workers are struggling just to get by.
Recent data from Statistics Canada underscores this financial strain: between July and September 2024, nearly 13,000 British Columbians moved to other provinces or territories, with 9,589 choosing Alberta.
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