THE Office of the British Columbia Container Trucking Commissioner (OBCCTC) said on Monday that it has increased the minimum rates up to $33.66 an hour for company drivers and 3.9% for independent operators who work for companies that move containers to and from the Vancouver ports and within the Lower Mainland.

($33.66 an hour is the minimum rate for drivers with 2,340 hours of experience. Drivers with less than 2,340 hours of experience will receive $32.26 an hour until they reach 2,340 hours.)

The new minimum rates reflect a comprehensive assessment conducted by Cascadia Partners on compensation in the drayage sector. This process involved consultations with stakeholders within the trucking community and a comprehensive rate review, culminating in the issuance of a final Consultation Report by the OBCCTC. The Consultation Report determined that the minimum rates had fallen behind similar jurisdictions and resulted in unpredictable and dramatic wage increases since 2014.

The OBCCTC determined that regular increases tied to the annual inflation rate would provide certainty and stability for drivers and licensees. This is the second year of the minimum rate adjustment.

The new increased rates are based on the average annual increase in the 2023 BC Consumer Price Index which was 3.9%, addressing the continuation of the wage gap correction rate for company drivers, the OBCCTC said.

The new rates will take effect on July 1. The appropriate rate order will be published as required by the Act and Regulation, it added.