B.C. proposes minimum pay standards and workers' compensation for app-based gig workers

CBC
Thu, November 16, 2023

A worker for a food delivery app transports an order in downtown Vancouver on Thursday. B.C. is proposing amendments to employment standards law to address the growing gig economy. (Justine Boulin/CBC - image credit)

The B.C. government is proposing new employment standards for gig workers with ride-hailing and food delivery apps, including a minimum wage, tip protection and workers' compensation coverage.

The proposed amendments to the Employment Standards Act and the Workers Compensation Act are meant to ensure that workers who take gigs through online platforms are treated like employees, according to a press release from the province.

"The workers who appear at the touch of a button to drive us home or deliver our dinner deserve to be treated fairly," Labour Minister Harry Bains said in the release.

"That's why we're taking action to address the problems that the workers themselves raised."

Provincial estimates put the number of ride-hailing drivers in B.C. at about 11,000, along with 27,000 food-delivery workers.

The government says gig economy workers have said they value the flexibility of this kind of work, but they struggle with low or unpredictable wages and being cut off from the job without warning.

The proposed plan includes a minimum earnings standard for engaged time at 120 per cent of minimum wages before tips — or $20.10 an hour at the current minimum wage of $16.75. The rate is higher because engaged time would not include the time spent waiting for the next ride or delivery.

App companies would be responsible for topping up the difference if a worker's earnings don't meet the minimum standards.

The Labour Ministry says it's also consulting with online platforms to create a mechanism to compensate workers for using their own vehicle.

"Some newcomers to Canada face language barriers or other challenges that make it difficult to find a job, and app-based work can provide a quick source of income," Janet Routledge, the parliamentary secretary for labour, said.

"All workers, regardless of where they're from or what they do, deserve minimum employment standards and protections."

The proposal also includes measures prohibiting companies from withholding tips, requiring transparency about how much each gig will earn, creating an official review process when workers are let go and providing coverage under WorkSafeBC.

The province says the proposed changes will require legislative approval before they can be implemented.

'The government's approach falls far short': BCFED

Ride-hailing drivers who attended a press conference announcing the proposal said the planned minimum wage standard is not high enough to cover their operating costs and provide for their families.

"I don't make enough these days," driver Kuljeet Singh told CBC News. "You don't have overtime, you don't have vacations, you don't have benefits, you don't have dental — you don't have anything."

He said a minimum standard of $30-$35 an hour would be more appropriate.

Fellow driver Inderraj Gill agreed with that assessment, saying that gig workers often have to deal with unexpected down time, such as when their cars break down.

"Even going to [the] washroom, sometimes that feels like 'hmm, maybe I'll put that off,'" he said.

But Gill said he believes Thursday's announcement is just a starting point.

"Kuljeet is running on fumes. I'm still optimistic," he said, referring to Singh.

Ride-hailing drivers Inderraj Gill, left, and Kuljeet Singh are advocating for higher wages and better job protection for gig economy workers in B.C. Nov. 16, 2023

Ride-hailing drivers Inderraj Gill, left, and Kuljeet Singh are advocating for higher wages and better job protection for gig economy workers in B.C. (Justine Boulin/CBC)

Labour leaders had similarly mixed feelings.

B.C. Federation of Labour president Sussanne Skidmore said she was relieved to see the proposal, especially the promise of workers' compensation, but she believes the plan doesn't go far enough.

"We are deeply concerned over where this plan falls short — especially because it denies workers key protections under the law, like paid sick leave," she said in a news release.

Skidmore added that she is concerned that drivers and delivery workers won't be guaranteed pay for the time they spend waiting for the next assignment.

"On the whole ... the government's approach falls far short of the rights and protections gig workers deserve, especially considering that so many of them are racialized workers and newcomers," Skidmore said.

Other labour issues that have not been addressed in B.C.'s plan include overtime, holidays and paid leave.

Uber, which operates both ride-hailing and food delivery services on its app, said it is generally supportive of the proposal, but will be watching implementation closely, while competitor Lyft said it looks forward to working with the province on the changes.

A spokesperson for the delivery app DoorDash was less enthusiastic

"While we support some of the measures the government has proposed, we believe it is wrong to set a premium, higher minimum wage for just one group of workers," the spokesperson said in an email.

"This change could make delivery more expensive for consumers, and that would mean much less business for restaurants and fewer earning opportunities for workers."

‘Slay, Queens, Slay’: Canadians applaud Bearhead Sisters show of solidarity for Palestine during unique 'O Canada' rendition at Edmonton Oilers game

The Bearhead Sisters' special rendition of 'O Canada' while holding a traditional keffiyeh, in solidarity with the crisis in Gaza



Joy Joshi
·Writer, Yahoo News Canada
Updated Tue, November 14, 2023 

Veteran singing trio the Bearhead Sisters was in national spotlight Monday night when they took centre stage at the Oilers game in Edmonton’s Rogers Place arena, singing their hearts out to a special rendition of the Canadian national anthem while holding Keffiyeh in solidarity with Palestine.

The Juno Awards-winning musical group from Paul First Nation graced the Oilers barn to mark the Indigenous Celebration Night organized by the club as part of their efforts to recognize the culture, talent and creativity of Indigenous communities across Oil Country.

The Bearhead Sisters, who performed O Canada in the Stoney Nakoda language, were seen holding and wearing keffiyehs, a traditional headdress worn by people from parts of the Middle East, as part of their outfit during the one-minute performance.

The Bearhead Sisters sang a unique version of 'O Canada' at the Edmonton Oilers game, while sporting a traditional keffiyeh

The presence of keffiyehs was seen as a show of support for Palestine by many Canadians seated in the arena and on social media as the Indigenous group was cheered on for blessing their eyes with a “never seen before” show of power in Canada.

“The Bearhead Sisters are holding Palestinian keffiyeh in solidarity. Have never seen this before in Canada. Incredible,” posted journalist Shireen Ahmed on X, formerly known as Twitter.

Another social media user thanked the Bearhead Sisters for inspiring them to find “the guts to speak out” against the loss of civilian lives in Gaza and stand in solidarity with Palestine.

“Turns out a keffiyeh goes well with a ribbon skirt! Thank you, Bearhead Sisters. Without the strength of anti-Zionist Jewish folk & the Indigenous peoples of Turtle Island who have been vocal against the genocide in Gaza, I might never have found the guts to speak out.”

Western University PhD candidate Sara Khorshid, who is studying colonialism, was left in awe of the courage shown by the Indigenous musical group in speaking out for the cause of Palestine.

“The Bearhead Sisters from Paul First Nation are holding a Palestinian Keffiyyah while singing O Canada in Stoney Nakoda language. These queens are Indigenous so they know colonialism when they see it <3 As my daughters would tell them, slay queens, slay!” Khorshid posted on X.

The gesture by Bearhead Sisters follows Oilers' show of support for Israel

The strong display of power by the Bearhead Sisters, who hail from Alberta and also competed in the third season of Canada’s Got Talent, comes a few weeks after Edmonton Oilers forward Zach Hyman pledged support to the Jewish community against anti-Semitism.

Hyman’s stance appears to fall in line with the Edmonton-based club who showed support for Israel following the events of Oct. 7.

Edmonton Mayor Amarjeet Sohicame recently came under fire for his comments criticizing both “Hamas’ terrorist attack” and “Israel’s counter offence,” resulting in Edmonton’s Jewish community labelling his remarks as a “sucker punch” and demanding an apology.

The reaction to the ongoing war in Gaza in Edmonton is only a reflection of the Canadian sentiment on a national level.

Canadians remain divided over the issue, but two-thirds of the country are calling for a ceasefire, urging the Trudeau government to act definitively instead of pushing for “humanitarian pauses," according to a recent Angus-Reid survey. The move by the Bearhead Sisters only helps put pressure on the federal government as the calls for immediate action grow even louder.

‘Unsung heroes’: Canadians commend pro-Palestine protesters for interrupting Giller Prize, call out silent writers in audience

'Scotiabank funds genocide': Protesters interrupting the Giller Prize ceremony were met with a silent audience, but social support abound

Joy Josh

·Writer, Yahoo News Canada

Wed, November 15, 2023 

To the two young men who came on the stage: I admire you and I appreciate you so much.Mifrah Abid, Anti-hate advocate

That is the sentiment resonating online as Canadians from different walks of life come together in sharing messages of support for the protesters who disrupted the 2023 Scotiabank Giller Prize event Monday night to criticize the financial banking giant’s investment in an Israeli arms firm, linking it to the loss of civilians in Gaza due to the current war between Israel and Hamas.

The ceremony witnessed interruptions multiple times over the duration of the event with protesters initially hopping on stage carrying signs reading “Scotiabank Funds Genocide,” followed by another disruption later when Sarah Bernstein was announced winner of the $100,000 award.

The demonstrators shouted anti-Israel slogans before being escorted out and detained by Toronto Police.

Some reports from late Monday night allege that the demonstrators were arrested by police for a couple of hours before being released eventually.

However, Toronto Police confirmed Tuesday three people aged between 23 and 25 were arrested on-scene and later charged with obstructing property and allegedly using forged documents to enter the invitation-only literary event at the Four Seasons Hotel.

Canadians call out writers and authors in audience for silence

The revolting moment featuring supporters of Palestine interrupting the ceremony was captured and shared widely online with many applauding the efforts of the protesters to shine a light on Scotiabank’s significant investment in Elbit Systems, an Israeli weapons producer that is facing the heat due to the use of its technology in the occupied West Bank.

Many other users who shared the sentiment joined calls to boycott Scotiabank.

Several social media users could not help but notice the silence in the room when the protesters jumped on stage and called out the “well-heeled literati” for booing them instead.

“Were the well-heeled literati booing at the protestors, or Israeli genocide?” posted Political ecologist Laurie Adkin on X.

“The writers in this room who stayed silent should be ashamed,” posted a fellow writer.

Countless other writers, editors and authors joined the criticism of those sitting in the crowd for silently watching on as the protesters were being escorted and then arrested by the police.

“As an Indigenous woman who worked in publishing and the Canlit scene, it is absolutely not shocking that there was no support from the audience, and rather boos to cover up the protestors msg. #canlit loves the idea of marginalized voices in theory and never ever in practice,” posted Nickita.

"Worst part of this is all these celebrated authors sitting silently. As silent as they presumably have been during this whole genocide.

The people who disrupted this event were detained by police for hours. Power and respect to them, may disruptions multiply. Free Palestine," wrote Canadian activist and writer on X.

Another writer called out “Canada’s prize culture” while taking a swipe at everyone who sat silently in the room.

Writer Sarah Hagi used their post to criticize those booing, asking them to step in the shoes of those caught up in the tragedy unfolding in Gaza.

Adding to the conversation, University of Guelph professor Paul Barrett shared a pretty nuanced critique, taking aim at CanLit and the “mediocre talent” attending the event.

Was Giller Prize award ceremony best place for a protest?

However, some Canadians did not see much point in disrupting a literary award function and considered it to “ruin a moment” that many talented authors had been looking forward to.

Additionally, Executive Director of the Giller Prize Elana Rabinovitch, issued a statement saying the protesters showed “disrespect to Canadian authors, and their literary achievements that were made throughout the year,” according to the Canadian Press.

Rick Mercer faced scrutiny for tearing down the signs used by protesters

Canadian comedian and TV personality Rick Mercer, who can be seen being interrupted while hosting the event and in return tearing down the slogans held by the protesters, was specifically called out for not using the stage to draw attention to the immediate need for a ceasefire in Gaza.

The incident took place on the same night when veteran singing trio, the Bearhead Sisters, took centre stage at the Oilers game in Edmonton’s Rogers Place arena, singing their hearts out to a special rendition of the Canadian national anthem while holding Keffiyeh in solidarity with Palestine.

The Indigenous music group is being applauded over the internet for showing courage and standing for the cause of Palestinians, lives of whom continue to devalue as the war between Hamas and Israel intensifies in the Middle East.

Both the events from Monday night, and the consequent reaction from Canadians, hints clearly at a divided demographic over the ongoing conflict. However, the nation remains united in their calls for a ceasefire to end the slaughtering of lives and promote peace in the region.