On Tuesday, February 19 the BC NDP government introduced Budget 2019. Following from the Throne Speech, the budget allows us to see the actual investments being made in critical program areas and the new initiatives government has prioritized for the coming year.

Budget 2019 continued to build on the government’s focus on increasing affordability for families and strengthening health care and social services. There were a number of new programs and policies introduced worth highlighting:

For Immediate Release

Health Sciences Association of BC says today’s provincial budget provides important investments in health care and social services, but workforce challenges need attention.

HSA represents 18,000 highly trained specialists working in diagnostic MRI, sonography and lab testing, physiotherapy, social work, radiation therapy, pharmacy, early childhood development and many other health science and social service professions.

Yesterday was a big day in provincial politics, as MLAs from across the province were back in Victoria and the Spring sitting of the Legislative Assembly got underway. To open the session, the Lieutenant Governor, Honourable Janet Austin, delivered the Speech from the Throne.

The Throne Speech is an opportunity for government to lay out its agenda for the coming year and highlight themes and issues they intend to address. While the speech does not reveal details, it does provide insight into areas of importance for the government.
Here’s a snapshot:

THE RIGHT TO STRIKE:
POSTAL WORKERS LEGISLATED BACK TO WORK, CONSTITUTIONAL CHALLENGE LAUNCHED 
The Report, December 2018

In a disturbing turn of events, Bill C-89 was passed on Nov. 26 in the Canadian Senate, forcing postal workers to return to work after five weeks of rotating strikes. The emergency bill was rushed through the House of Commons the week earlier, with the Minister of Labour, Patty Hajdu, citing concerns for businesses and consumers in the wake of the Christmas season.

On Dec. 6, 1989, 14 women were murdered in a disturbing act of misogynist violence at École Polytechnique. Murdered by a man who claimed the act was “fighting feminism,” these women were targeted because they were pursuing engineering degrees, and the attacker believed these jobs should be performed only by men.

HSA welcomes today’s news that BC Minister of Health Adrian Dix has introduced legislation repealing 16-year-old legislation that targeted health care and community social services workers British Columbians count on to care for them during their most vulnerable times.

“This legislation introduced today brings an end to almost two decades of attacks on health care and community social service workers,” said HSA President Val Avery.

Are you or do you know a young woman who is an emerging leader?

Equal Voice Canada wants you.

Equal Voice invites young women, ages 18 to 23, from across the country to apply to be one of 338 dynamic and diverse emerging leaders who will be in session in Canada’s Parliament April 2019 with Daughters of the Vote. One participant from every federal riding in Canada will be chosen to represent her community and vision for Canada. 

On Saturday, October 20, 2018 British Columbians head to the polls to elect mayors, municipal councillors, school trustees, and regional district representatives.
 
These local representatives play a critical role in creating liveable communities and as advocates for our communities with higher levels of government.
 
Overall, fewer than 25 per cent of eligible voters actually cast a ballot in BC’s local government elections. HSA urges members to help reverse this trend by learning more about the candidates in your community and exercising your vote.
 

HSA President Val Avery presented to the provincial legislature’s Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services this week, and urged government to invest wisely in the people who deliver the health care and social services British Columbians rely on.

“The provincial government’s promising and ambitious new health care directions will require health human resources planning for health science professionals, and should not be limited to one or two professions, such as nursing and medicine where the greatest focus remains,” Avery told the committee.

The Young Workers’ Committee (YWC) is a standing committee of the BC Federation of Labour (BC Fed) dedicated to encouraging union participation among young people and to address inequity that young workers face as a result of discriminatory beliefs, policies, and legislation.