Increases to BC Minimum Wage Announced

May 2016

Update by: Meaghan J. McWhinnie

On March 31, 2016, British Columbia became home to the lowest minimum wage in Canada at $10.45 per hour. However, that is set to change through two upcoming increases to the province’s minimum wage rate.

Last year, the B.C. government announced that it would index the minimum wage to the Consumer Price Index (CPI). Based on the province’s 2015 CPI, the minimum wage this year was set to increase by 10 cents per hour. However, with British Columbia expected to lead the country in economic growth this year and next, the government has now announced an increase to the minimum wage rate beyond the province’s CPI indexed amount.

The BC government will increase the minimum wage in two stages:

  • Effective September 15, 2016: The first increase of 40 cents will take effect and bring the minimum wage rate to $10.85 per hour. This new rate includes the 10 cents scheduled for the 2015 CPI, plus an additional 30 cents.
  • Effective September 15, 2017: A second increase of 30 cents plus an amount based on the 2016 CPI (estimated to be 10 cents) will take effect and bring the minimum wage rate to $11.25. The minimum wage rate for liquor servers will increase by the same amounts and on the same dates as the general minimum wage. The differential of $1.25 between the general minimum wage and liquor server minimum wage will continue to apply.Employers paying the minimum wage will need to increase their wage budgets and consider labour efficiencies. Employers will also have to consider increases to employees earning near minimum wage, such as supervisors and lead hands, to ensure appropriate wage differences are preserved.
  • The daily rate for live-in home-support workers and live-in camp leaders as well as the monthly rates for resident caretakers and the farm-worker piece rates will also increase in amounts proportionate to the general minimum hourly wage increases.
  • The 2016 CPI will be available from Statistics Canada by March 2017.

Roper Greyell Featured on BCBusiness.ca

March 2016

Our new office space at 745 Thurlow was designed to create a collaborative experience for both clients and employees. For more details please read our article on BCBusiness.ca.

Roper Greyell Ranked as one of Canadian Lawyer’s Top 10 Labour and Employment Boutique Law Firms

January 2016

We are pleased to announce that Roper Greyell has been ranked as one of Canadian Lawyer’s top 10 labour and employment boutique firms in Canada. “Roper Greyell has long been noted for excellence, and Tom Roper particularly is undoubtedly one of the leading labour lawyers in the nation” said one survey participant.

Canadian Lawyer selected Canada’s top labour and employment boutique firms by asking in-house counsel and senior lawyers from larger firms to rank notable boutique firms from a shortlist generated by editorial staff.

View article here.

About Canadian Lawyer Magazine

Canadian Lawyer is a Thomson Reuters publication that is published 11 times a year. Reporting on the Canadian legal landscape, Canadian Lawyer delivers focused editorial content for lawyers, corporate counsel, judges, law professors, and students-at-law.

Thomas A. Roper Q.C. Inducted Into the College of Labor and Employment Lawyers

November 2015

Thomas A. Roper Q.C. was inducted as a Fellow of the College of Labor and Employment Lawyers at a ceremony in Philadelphia, PA on November 7, 2015.

The College of Labor and Employment Lawyers is the preeminent body of labour and employment lawyers in North America. Election as a Fellow is the highest form of recognition by one’s peers for outstanding professional achievement, exemplifying integrity, dedication and excellence in the area of labour and employment law. This honour is a reflection of Tom’s dedication and exceptional service to clients, colleagues and the community.

“Tom has been an outstanding leader in the labour and employment law profession and community for over 40 years. His work has assisted and guided employers in virtually every facet of our economy. This recognition by the College is an acknowledgment of Tom’s outstanding talent, dedication, service and overall contribution to the development of labour and employment law in North America.” Delayne Sartison Q.C.

Tom’s induction to the College is the latest in a series of recent awards celebrating his significant contributions to the legal and human resource management communities. In 2014, he was honoured with the Peter S Hyndman Mentorship Award for mentorship within the legal profession, and in April of this year, he was presented with the 2015 Honorary Lifetime Membership from The Human Resources Management Association (HRMA).

Tom continues his work as one of the founding partners of Vancouver law firm, Roper Greyell LLP. Roper Greyell is one of Western Canada’s largest boutique employment and labour law firms.

About The College of Labor and Employment Lawyers

The College of Labor and Employment Lawyers, headquartered in Annapolis, Maryland, was founded in 1995 through an initiative of the Council of The Section of Labor and Employment Law of the American Bar Association. It began as a non-profit professional association honoring the leading lawyers nationwide in the practice of Labor and Employment Law. It has now evolved to become an intellectual and practical resource for the support of the profession and its many audiences.

Roper Greyell Welcomes New Associate, Christopher Munroe

November 2015

Roper Greyell is pleased to welcome new associate, Christopher Munroe to the firm. Prior to joining Roper Greyell, Chris articled and practiced at a national firm in Vancouver. Chris was called to the British Columbia bar in 2013.

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