Article content

Vancouver-based coffee chain JJ Bean is ahead of the curve on raising B.C.’s minimum wage. It bumped the company’s starting rate to $14 an hour in January, and hasn’t felt any negative effects, according to CEO John Neate.

“I think we did the right thing,” said Neate, five months and four days ahead of B.C.’s first legal step in increasing in minimum wage, a $1.30-raise to $12.65 an hour, on the way to $15.20 by 2021.

We apologize, but this video has failed to load.

tap here to see other videos from our team. Try refreshing your browser, or B.C.'s minimum wage jumps $1.30 on Friday, sparking new debate about consequences Back to video

As the June 1 date nears, there is new debate over whether the increase is too fast, will come with unintended consequences and whether there are better ways to end poverty.

The Vancouver-headquartered Fraser Institute released a report today that argues government-funded income subsidies would be a better way to increase the incomes of low-wage workers without unintended consequences.

Neate, however, sees the need for higher wages because “it’s so hard for staff just to live in Vancouver now.”