Issues, Campaigns and Government Relations

OTTAWA – Canada’s unions welcome Canadian Labour Minister Seamus O’Regan’s introduction yesterday of Bill C-58, legislation to ban the use of replacement workers, and look forward to working with all Parliamentarians to strengthen the legislation to ensure workers’ rights are protected, and fairness is restored to the collective bargaining process. “We have seen years of record corporate profits while workers’...

Millions of people around the world have been marching in support of an immediate ceasefire in Israel-Palestine and to end the unprecedented humanitarian disaster unfolding in Gaza. Ceasefire NOW, supported by the National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE), which is a national union HSA is affiliated to, is making this urgent appeal to stage a pan-Canadian day of...

Last week, NUPGE – the National Union of Public and General Employees which HSA is a member of, made a $20,000 donation from its John Fryer Fund to Oxfam’s appeal to provide urgent humanitarian relief in Gaza. As soon as it is possible to provide humanitarian aid in Gaza, the donation will assist with the much-needed assistance, including food, water...

A new report from the Health Sciences Association of BC puts a microscope on the critical role of medical laboratory technologists in the health care system – and how acute staffing shortages are causing burnout and delaying patient care. Medical laboratory technologists (MLTs) are often invisible to the public, but health care would not function without them. At least 70...

It’s hard to believe that another Labour Day weekend has come and gone. I hope that many of you were able to get out to events around the province put on by local Labour Councils promoting and celebrating the work of the labour movement. To keep informed about the work of the Canadian Labour Congress, sign up for regular news...

This September 30 th marks the third annual National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, also known as Orange Shirt Day. In 2021, following decades of Indigenous-led advocacy, the Government of Canada declared September 30 the “National Day for Truth and Reconciliation”. The declaration responds to Action 80 from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada, which calls for the creation...

In recent years, there has been a significant rise in anti-trans and anti- 2SLGBTQIA+ actions and hate speech across the province, country, and the world. This year, Statistics Canada data showed a 64 per cent increase in hate crimes targeting individuals over their sexual orientation. These actions not only threaten the health, safety, and wellbeing of HSA members who are...

HSA's Board of Directors has made a $20,000 emergency relief fund available for members affected by wildfires. Members have access to $500 per household for immediate relief to support unanticipated expenses related to being under evacuation order. To apply for immediate financial support, please complete the following forms and return to HSA at @email. Applications will be processed on an...

Shared on behalf of Community Action for Equity and Racial Justice (CAERJ) The attack on 2SLGBTQIA+ people and communities – especially targeting trans folk – from Uganda to Hungary to Florida to New Brunswick has reached our community of Delta. The Christian fascist group action4canada has staged weekly banner drops on the pedestrian overpass by the 17A/Ladner Trunk Road intersection...

HEABC, Ministry of Health reveal security breach involving up to 240,000 health care employees’ e-mail addresses and other personal information. The Health Employers Association of BC (HEABC) CEO Michael McMillan and Minister of Health Adrian Dix announced this afternoon a significant cybersecurity breach affecting health care employees’ personal information occurred on HEABC servers in June this year. HEABC said it...