DDBIA Responds to Provincial Minimum Wage Increase
- Mar 11
- 1 min read
DUNCAN, BC – March 11 2026 –The Downtown Duncan Business Improvement Area Society (DDBIA) acknowledges the Province of British Columbia’s announcement that the general minimum wage will increase from $17.85 to $18.25 per hour effective June 1, 2026. The increase reflects the Province’s policy of indexing wages annually to inflation.
“Our downtown businesses understand the pressures working people are facing,” said Dina Stuehler, President of the DDBIA. “Many of our members are small, independent operators who live and work in this community. They want to offer fair wages while also managing steadily rising costs across nearly every area of their operations.”
In addition to wage adjustments, small businesses continue to navigate increases in commercial rent, property taxes, utilities, insurance, supply costs, and regulatory requirements. While predictable, inflation-based increases allow for some forward planning, cumulative cost pressures remain significant for small employers operating on tight margins.
The DDBIA will continue advocating on behalf of its members through the Business Improvement Areas of British Columbia (BIABC), encouraging ongoing dialogue with government to ensure policies support both workers and the long-term sustainability of small businesses.
“A strong downtown depends on thriving local businesses and meaningful employment opportunities,” Stuehler added. “We believe balanced policy decisions are essential to maintaining vibrant, resilient communities like Duncan.”
For more information, please contact:
Dina Stuehler President,
Downtown Duncan Business Improvement Area Society
(250) 710-9441
About the Downtown Duncan BIA: Established in 1997, the Downtown Duncan BIA (DDBIA) is a non-profit society under the direction of an elected volunteer Board of Directors. The vision of the Downtown Duncan BIA is to foster a unique, diverse, and vibrant downtown business community.
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