One of the benefits of being in the lower economic group is that we are aware of the simple things such as the increase in the cost of groceries, especially now with the lower Canadian dollar.
Most of us can remember how much the increase has been over the past three years, when the last increase in the minimum wage occurred.
Apparently the senior members of government have escaped this experience or have sought advice from their business friends as they have based the recent increase on conditions three years ago, or in other words have reduced the minimum wage by the rate of inflation over the last three years.
Future wage increases will be added to that deflated base. This will assure the government that their reputation of the greatest child poverty rate in Canada will be secure for the foreseeable future or until there is a change in government.
The other part of the equation applies more to adults and seniors, the increased costs to Medicare, hydro, eco fees, auto insurance, taxes for other levels of governments, etc. As history records the rich get richer and the poor get poorer.
Art SkipseyQualicum Beach
