This week the Minister of Labour, Harry Bains, introduced two pieces of legislation that together dramatically increase protections for workers and their right to join a union.
 
These are long overdue reforms, and it is welcome news to see the government take these first steps to restoring balance and fairness for working people.  These reforms do not cover everything - this is only the start - and HSA will continue to advocate for more changes going forward.
 
Employment Standards Act
 

Registration Now Open! 
Tools and tips to Stomp Out Period Poverty 

A once in a generation opportunity to improve workers' legislation. 

ADVISORY COUNCIL RELEASES INTERIM REPORT ON NATIONAL PHARMACARE: CONCERNS RAISED OVER FINANCE MINISTER'S PERCEIVED CONFLICT OF INTEREST

The Advisory Council on the Implementation of National Pharmacare released its interim report on March 6.

HSA members have been invited by CoDevelopment (CoDev) Canada to participate in its 2019 Canadian delegation to Honduras and Nicaragua.

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.