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Leader of the B.C. Green caucus, Andrew Weaver expressed little enthusiasm for the BC NDP's minimum wage announcement made on August 15th.
While he told KelownaNow that the B.C. Greens agreed with the wage increase, a timeline of 2021 was never agreed upon.
“Although I am pleased to see an important piece of our agreement move forward, I am concerned that the apparent addition of a 2021 timeline is prejudicial to the work of the Fair Wages Commission," stated Weaver.
My statement on the Fair Wages Commission announcement https://t.co/Ksdw6T19Xk #bcpoli
— Andrew Weaver (@AJWVictoriaBC) August 16, 2017
On Tuesday, August 15th, Minister of Labour, Harry Bain announced an increase from $10.85 to $11.35 by September 15th. He also announced that the minimum wage would hit $15 an hour by 2021.
Weaver said that no timeline was discussed and believes that the announcement of 2021 was a mistake.
"Unfortunately I think the minister was not up on what had been agreed to. He's been kind of watering back some of his statements and I think you'll find that as we move forward, it will in fact be as we stated that there will be no 2021 added," said Weaver.
"I think what it is just people are new in their positions and I don't think there's anything malicious here. I think it was just an oversight."
Minister Bains is the current MLA for Surrey-Newton and was elected as a member of the B.C. NDP in 2005.
He was appointed the Minister of Labour on July 18th, 2017.
On that same date, Premier Horgan announced Minister Bains' new position in a formal letter and also informed Bains of the Confidence and Supply Agreement with the B.C. Green caucus.
"This agreement is critical to the success of our government. Accordingly, the principles of 'good faith and no surprises' set out in that document should also guide your work going forward," stated Premier John Horgan in an official later to Bains.
In the letter, Premier Horgan also made it clear that the $15 wage increase should be effective by 2021.
"In your role as Minister of Labour I expect that you will make substantive progress on the following priorities: Establish a Fair Wages Commission to support the work of implementing the $15-per-hour minimum wage by 2021 and to bring forward recommendations to close the gap between minimum wage and livable wages. The commission will make its first report within 90 days of its first meeting."
Weaver added that at the table, the number 2021 was never agreed upon neither was any other date, as it would be viewed as "prejudicial to the Fair Wages Commission."
The timeline, said Weaver, should be determined through consulting with small businesses and other stakeholders without a timeline set in advance.
BC’s lowest-paid workers need a raise. Renewing our commitment to a Fair Wages Commission is a first step towards a $15/hour minimum wage. pic.twitter.com/kM4H1YUDCA
— John Horgan (@jjhorgan) August 15, 2017
The Green caucus is in agreement with the wage increase and with the Fair Wages Commission but disagrees with the timeline.
As far as how much this disagreement will impact the B.C. NDP and the B.C. Green caucus' working relationship, Weaver said it's not the first time they've disagreed and it won't be the last.
"There'll be lots of disagreements," said Weaver.
Another promise kept! As of Nov 30, the BCNDP govt is banning the grizzly bear trophy hunt province-wide. https://t.co/sm41d6XXbj pic.twitter.com/XdlrmvDHKr
— BC NDP (@bcndp) August 14, 2017
"In terms of the grizzly bear announcement, I was pretty critical of the NDP's approach in that regard because I thought they were trying to have their cake and eat it too," he said.
Looks like the BC NDP just spun British Columbians by doing little and still allowing the foreign trophy hunt. https://t.co/YEDGNk8XwZ https://t.co/TlHNX5YatF
— Andrew Weaver (@AJWVictoriaBC) August 15, 2017
He added that he's been continuously critical of the NDP for accepting donations from corporations and unions, since Weaver banned the practice for his party back in September.
"The do as I say, not as I do approach to pay for access fundraising events," he said.
However, he added that the B.C. Greens have supported the NDP's steps on the Site C review as well as on Kinder Morgan and therefore it's been a mixed bag.
"We're not in a coalition. We've agreed to a confidence supply agreement," he said.
With regards to the 2021 timeline announcement, Weaver said residents in B.C. should consider it to be "off the table -effective immediately."
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