The B.C. government confirmed in Tuesdays throne speech that a controversial blueprint for health care is in the works in spite of its ongoing -Conversation on Health" consultation with British Columbians. The third of 16 Conversation on Health public forums takes place this weekend in Kelowna.

The throne speech promised -fundamental health reforms that increase individual choice and maximize the supply of health services within the budgets available."

The registration deadline is fast-approaching for attendance at the alll-candidates' meetings in HSA's election for a new president for the first time in 14 years, as Cindy Stewart has announced she will not be seeking re-election. 

A series of three all-candidates' meetings to give convention delegates an opportunity to meet the presidential candidates, hear their vision for the union and ask questions has been scheduled as follows:

HSA members in Region 9 have acclaimed Thalia Vesterback as their representative to the HSA Board of Directors. She was acclaimed after the February 8th deadline passed with no further nominations. 

Thalia is an ultrasound technologist who is currently supporting the computer system for diagnostic imaging in the Kootenay Boundary region.  She has been an HSA member since 1994. 

During the next several weeks, HSA members in Region 7 will have an opportunity to elect their representative on the HSA Board of Directors.

Nominations for the position closed on February 8, 2007 with two members declaring their candidacy:  Marg Beddis, a Dietitian at Surrey Memorial Hospital, and Audrey MacMillan, current Regional Director for Region 7 and a Registered Psychiatric Nurse with Chilliwack General Hospital.

HSA members in Region 5 have acclaimed Reid Johnson as their representative to the HSA Board of Directors. He was acclaimed after the February 8th deadline passed with no further nominations.

Reid is a vocational case manager at the Employment Resource Centre for Persons with Disabilities. He has been a member of HSA since 1990.  He served on the Board of Directors from 1997 to 2002, and was returned to the Board in 2005.

HSA members in Region 3 have acclaimed Bruce MacDonald as their representative to the HSA Board of Directors. He was acclaimed after the February 8th deadline passed with no further nominations. 

Bruce is a social worker at Royal Columbian Hospital in New Westminster. He has been a member of HSA since 2000. 

HSA members in Region 1 have once again acclaimed Suzanne Bennett as their representative to the HSA Board of Directors. She was acclaimed after the February 8th deadline passed with no further nominations. 

Suzanne has been the Region 1 Director since 2006.  She is the first HSA member from the community social services sector to serve on the board.

Suzanne is a youth addictions counsellor at the John Howard Society in Courtenay. She has been a member of HSA since 1998 and served as chief steward for five years.  

New program will help injured workers successfully return to work

Download PDF
 

Saturday, February 10th
7:30 am start to 9:15 am
Days Inn - 9850 King George Highway
(outside hotel)

Download poster here

The B.C. Health Coalition is calling on the provincial government to suspend plans to privatize health services during the course of its year-long conversation on health.

Download the BC Health Coalition news release here.