The Greater Vernon Chamber of Commerce isn’t coming out against minimum wage hikes.
The provincial government will increase minimum wage by 40 cents to $10.85 per hour on Sept. 15 and it will climb a further 30 cents in September 2017.
“There is definitely some concern about the potential impact following the government’s announcement,” said Dan Rogers, Greater Vernon chamber general manager.
“That concern is tempered though by the fact the province will reduce the small business tax rate to 1.5 per cent in 2017. The announced new training and youth employment program will also soften the blow to many of our small business members.”
Rogers said the chamber will continue to monitor what happens in the future and voice objection to more substantial increases to the minimum wage.
“They have the greatest impact on very small, family-owned businesses many of whom are members of the chamber.”