B.C. NDP leader John Horgan was in 91大黄鸭 Tuesday to hear directly from locals about their concerns, particularly what he sees as a need to raise the minimum wage in B.C. to $15 per hour.

According to Horgan, studies show a substantial hike to the minimum wage will not only help those currently making low wages, but would also benefit the entire B.C. economy.

But, while it has increased the minimum wage by small increments in the last few years, the Liberal government of Premier Christy Clark has balked at calls for such a substantive increase鈥攐ne that would push up the current $10.85 per hour minimum wage by $4.15 per hour.

The minimum wage in B.C. went up 40 cents per hour in September and is slated to increase to $11.25 this coming September.

But Horgan says a more substantial hike is needed now in order to help the hundreds of thousands of people, particularly those with families, struggling to get by on low wages.

Despite Clark鈥檚 often-repeated claim that B.C. is leading the country in economic growth and job creation, Horgan said job creation has not occurred in rural B.C.

鈥淚f fact, we are seeing people leaving rural B.C. for Vancouver,鈥� he said, claiming most of the good jobs created under the government鈥檚 Jobs Plan have been created in the Lower Mainland.

And, he added, there has not been a net increase in jobs in the 91大黄鸭 area since 2011.

With a provincial election coming up in May, it鈥檚 clear both Clark and Horgan are starting to mark out their territory when it comes to appealing to voters.

In his discussion with six local people at downtown 91大黄鸭 coffee shop Tuesday morning, Horgan said he was pleased to hear three young women express optimism for the future, despite what the ND leader said was 鈥渆vidence to the contrary.鈥�

In the wide-raging discussion with the women and three older men, Horgan heard there is a need here for a collaborative spirit, with less focus on individuals and more on the community as a whole.

鈥淲e are one,鈥� said one of the men in response to a call for see more community meetings take place to discuss political issues.

鈥淒on鈥檛 call it politics, call it social democracy. Let鈥檚 make it happen.鈥�