News & Updates

By Vicky Grant, HSA memberI have been working at BC Cancer as a radiation therapist for almost 25 years. Most of that time has been at the Surrey Centre, formerly known as the Fraser Valley Cancer Center. Radiation therapists are involved in planning and delivering radiation therapy treatment to cancer patients, and assist in assessing and managing the treatment’s side...

By Samantha Ponting, HSA Communications Ingrid Mendez and her partner didn’t come here from Guatemala because they thought Canada was a beautiful country. “I’m not saying it’s not,” she explained. “No, we’re here because we were forced to leave. We came here because w e needed to save our lives and those of our families.” Now Mendez works actively to...

When the Nanaimo Child Development Center (CDC) opened over 50 years ago, the preschool was one of its first community programs, said HSA member Kathleen Silvey.

Successful Charter challenge to provisions banning extra-billing, private insurance would create two-tier system By HSA President Val Avery Public health care is one of Canada’s greatest achievements. But our most-cherished social program is under threat. A group of plaintiffs led by Dr. Brian Day, CEO of the for-profit Cambie Surgeries Corporation, is challenging the constitutionality of key provisions of B.C.’s...

Preparations for HSA’s annual convention, where delegates representing members from throughout the province set goals, debate policies, and recommend actions for the union and its members to carry out for the year, are already underway. The deadline for submitting resolutions is Tuesday, January 28, 2020. All resolutions must be voted on at local union chapters. HSA chapter meetings will be...

HSA SOCIAL JUSTICE DAY WORKSHOP DATE: Thursday, February 20, 2020 TIME: 8:30am – 4:00pm PLACE: HSA Head Office - 180 East Columbia St. New Westminster, BC The Committee on Equality and Social Action invite you to a workshop to explore different aspects of the Climate Emergency. Our guests include, Andrew Williamson, Producer; Lilah Williamson, Sutainabiliteens/Metro Vancouver’s Climate Stikers, Peter McCarntey...

* updated December 13, 2019 to clarify that under the amended policy, it is still mandatory to report vaccination status, but no longer mandatory to wear a mask if not vaccinated. After years of controversy surrounding the province’s “vaccinate or mask” policy for health care workers during the flu season, the provincial policy has been amended to remove the disciplinary...

Public health care is one of Canada’s greatest achievements. But our most-cherished social program is under threat. A group of plaintiffs led by Dr. Brian Day, CEO of the for-profit Cambie Surgeries Corporation, is challenging the constitutionality of key provisions of B.C.’s Medicare Protection Act , which protects our universal health care system. The long, costly trial is expected to...

HSA is offering scholarships and bursaries to all members and their children. Ten scholarships will be awarded for full-time studies, twenty bursaries for full-time studies and four bursaries for part-time studies. Two indigenous bursaries will be awarded to indigenous students in BC. The criteria and details are set out on the application forms available on the HSA website. Completed application...

Larry Brown, President of the National Union of General and Public Employees (NUPGE) marked November 6, Community Social Service Workers' Day, with a call to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to increase support for community social services. "Governments have consistently underestimated the funding required to provide the support services and programs necessary to ensure people are able to lead lives filled...