Health Science Professionals
It's about halfway through the current federal election, which means you have less than two weeks left to decide who you're voting for, and where and when you'll cast your ballot. Whether your top issue is affordability, responding to American tariffs, or strengthening our public health care system, there's a lot at stake. The Canadian (also known as federal) government...
The BC government has announced plans to change the rules on when you need to get a sick note for short-term absences. Details are not yet available, but the union will keep you updated as we learn more. BC Minister of Labour Jennifer Whiteside introduced Bill 11 on April 15. The bill proposes to change the Employment Standards Act to...
Do you enjoy talking to your fellow union members? Are you curious about how to make change? The Core Member Engagement Team (CMET) is a unique, hands-on opportunity for HSA members to develop their own skills while growing our collective power. You don’t need to be an expert to apply; all you need is curiosity, a willingness to learn new...
For nearly 13 years, Jacquie Heichert has been on the road, driving tens of thousands of kilometres across British Columbia to bring lifesaving breast cancer screening to rural and Indigenous communities. As a mobile mammographer with BC Cancer, she operates one of the province’s mobile screening units—massive, 30,000-pound trucks fully outfitted with diagnostic imaging equipment—delivering essential health care to areas...
PRRI extended to June 30; other programs extended temporarily With the provincial budget deficit now over $11 billion, and the government looking to find savings through a review of programs, money is increasingly tight in BC. But in recognition of the importance of tackling shortages affecting health science professions, the Ministry of Health has agreed to extend initiatives launched last...
For the first time ever, all HSA members are entitled to vote for the union’s president. Voting will be open for 24 hours from noon April 10 to noon April 11 – but you need credentials to vote. Voting credentials consist of a unique ID number and passcode, and these are required for logging into the online election being conducted...
A new Mental Health Support Fund will begin to help Health Science Professional Bargaining Association (HSPBA) members starting April 1. Your union has negotiated this funding with the BC government as part of our ongoing work to provide greater support for members, especially for those dealing with the impact of significant shortages and excessive workload. This one-time $11 million grant...
BC Health Minister Josie Osborne and Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry this morning announced the end of viral respiratory infection season, and the removal of the requirement for continuous masking in direct patient care areas. While the mask policy is rescinded, other infection control practices remain in place: Masking and use of other personal protective equipment will continue to...
Sheila Lee didn’t initially set out to be a music therapist. In fact, she hadn’t even heard of the profession until a classmate at the University of British Columbia casually suggested it to her. At the time, she was studying psychology with the goal of becoming a social worker or counsellor. But the idea stuck. She enrolled in Capilano University’s...
From his early days growing up in Ontario, where he first learned about the potential of unions through his father’s union activism, to his current dual role as a respiratory therapist and lead steward at Lions Gate Hospital, Tim has built a career that embodies compassion and a commitment to making a difference. Almost 20 years ago, Tim made the...