Ministry of Labour

Last updated on February 26, 2024

The Ministry of Labour promotes fair, healthy and safe labour and employment relationships in support of a strong, sustainable and inclusive economy.

Featured Topics

  • Labour Relations Code Review
    To ensure B.C.’s labour laws are keeping up with the needs of modern workplaces, providing stable labour relations and supporting the exercising of collective bargaining rights, a committee of special advisors has been appointed to review B.C.’s Labour Relations Code and make recommendations to improve it.
  • Permanent Paid Sick Leave 
    As of Jan, 1, 2022, the majority of B.C.’s workforce no longer have to choose between going to work sick or losing wages when B.C.’s first-ever permanent paid sick leave comes into effect with a minimum of five paid sick days each year.
  • Minimum Wage
    Every worker in British Columbia deserves to make a fair wage for their work. That’s why, on June 1, 2024, British Columbia’s minimum wage will increase to $17.40/h from $16.75/h.
  • Child Employment Regulation Changes
    Amendments to raise the general minimum working age from 12 to 16, while still allowing 14- and 15-year-olds to do jobs considered light work, came into effect October 15, 2021.
    • Hazardous Work for Youth
      Changes to employment standards to better protect young people by outlining the types of work that are suitable for those aged 16 to 18 came into effect Jan. 1, 2023.
  • Domestic and Sexual Violence Leave
    B.C.’s employment standards provide job-protected, paid and unpaid leave for people who have faced domestic or sexual violence. 
  • Precarious Work Strategy
    Parliamentary Secretary Janet Routledge is leading a broad precarious work strategy to address the challenges facing precarious and gig workers. In November 2023, the Province announced enabling legislation and proposed solutions to the top concerns raised by app-based ride-hail and food-delivery gig workers.
  • Occupational Health and Safety
    Provides an overview of legislative and regulatory occupational health and safety requirements. Including information on accident/incident investigations and when to report.
  • Workers Compensation Act Changes
    Announced in October 2022, amendments to the Workers Compensation Act will better support injured workers and their families, as well as bring B.C. in line with other provinces in providing benefits for injured workers.

Featured Services

Minister

Honourable Harry Bains

Honourable Harry Bains

Minister of Labour

Parliamentary Secretary Janet Routledge

Janet Routledge

Parliamentary Secretary for Labour

Deputy Minister Trevor Hughes

Trevor Hughes

Deputy Minister of Labour