Scott Fraser believes it's time to raise minimum wage to double digits.

The Alberni-Qualicum MLA spoke of his concerns to nearly 30 people at a public meeting in Qualicum on Thursday.

At least 125,000 British Columbians are struggling to survive on $8 an hour, said Fraser, and with the ever-growing gap between the wealthy and the working poor skyrocketing, he believes the wage should be raised to $10.

He's campaigning for the wage increase to reflect higher housing costs, gas prices and cuts to child care, among other issues, as the province's minimum wage has been frozen at $8 since 2001.

Nov. 1 marks the sixth anniversary of the last increase to B.C.'s minimum wage. The working poor and their children are making up the food bank patrons, said Fraser.

Fraser is also advocating to lower the small business tax rate to ease the burden.