One solution is to lift everyone up in one stroke by giving minimum-wage earners a further $4.55 raise to $15 an hour, as advocated by one group.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Among Canada\u2019s provinces, that would catapult BC from the middle of the pack to $4 per hour above the next-highest jurisdiction \u2014 a bold step to bring the bottom wage up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
While the public mulls over this proposal, it is also worth asking which industries create the largest paycheques today. Fresh evidence suggests the key to more raises is those industries that are able to pay more because they are adding more value to the economy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Trevor Tombe, an assistant professor of economics at the University of Calgary, approached the question by breaking down Canadian wages by industry. Then, for each industry, he asked how much value is created in the economy.
The surprising findings are timely for those picking a career, or changing a career, or advising a young person on how to plan a career.<\/p>\n\n\n\n