REFERENDUM 2018 This fall, British Columbians have a chance at electoral reform. But what are the impacts of proportional representation? - Health ...
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NO. 3
VOL. 39
September 2018
HEALTH SCIENCES ASSOCIATION OF BRITISH COLUMBIA
B.C. ATTORNEY GENERAL DAVID EBY. PHOTO: PROVINCE OF BRITISH COLUMBIA
REFERENDUM 2018
This fall, British Columbians have a chance at
electoral reform. But what are the impacts of
proportional representation?
Page 6
PRESIDENT’S REPORT
AN OPPORTUNITY TO
IMPROVE DEMOCRACY
When this issue of The Report ity of people. More voters feel
goes to print, it will be just over meaningfully represented by
a month before referendum those sitting around the table.
ballots are mailed out to Brit-
This leads to more consistent
ish Columbians asking us if we
policy over time. If we look
would like to see our provincial
back on the last three decades
elections determined through
of politics in British Columbia,
a first-past-the-post system, or
we see dramatic shifts in policy
through proportional represen-
depending on the government
tation (PR). A second ballot
elected. Without a centrist
question will give British Colum-
party, B.C.’s political arena is no-
bians the opportunity to vote
tably polarized. A newly-elected
for one of three proportional
representation models, should
government spends much of its “The wild swings of the
time undoing the work of the
PR be adopted.
previous one, only to have its pendulum that we witness
This fall marks a pivotal oppor-
tunity for us to make a positive
own policy changes reversed
when power is lost.
under our current first-
reform to our voting system,
The wild swings of the pen-
past-the-post system
with significant evidence from
numerous academic studies -
dulum that we witness under make it difficult to make
our current first-past-the-post
some spanning decades – iden-
system make it difficult to make progress.”
tifying a correlation between
progress. With proportional
proportional representation
representation, governments
systems and improved social
are empowered to build off the HSA members adopted a 2018
and economic outcomes.
policy work of previous govern- convention resolution in light
While we may not have first- ments, because that policy was of the upcoming referendum
hand experience with propor- shaped together. calling on the union to sup-
tional representation in B.C., port PR and educate members
Throughout history, our provin-
ample evidence from around the on its benefits. We know that
cial and federal electoral sys-
world shows us that proportion- for many across the province,
tems have undergone significant
al representation systems lead supporting PR is a leap of faith.
changes. Voting rights have
to higher voter turnout, greater It’s uncharted territory for B.C.,
expanded over the course of
voter satisfaction, lower income which makes our educational ef-
the twentieth century to include
inequality, more women elected, forts particularly important. The
women, Asian immigrants, and
lower national debt, and the list more British Columbians come
Indigenous peoples. We’ve re-
goes on. These are some of the to understand the benefits of
formed political financing laws,
reasons that over 80 per cent of PR, the more motivated we will
redistributed electoral boundar-
OECD countries have chosen to become to bring about electoral
ies, altered the voting age, and
adopt a proportional represen- reform. If you would like to join
introduced new ways to vote.
tation model. HSA’s member outreach efforts,
Proportional representation is
Proportional representation one more reform that makes get in touch with our office. We
models encourage cross-party our system more inclusive, and would love to work with you on
collaboration. Politicians of dif- ultimately, more democratic. It this important opportunity to
ferent political stripes have to is one more step forward in the improve our voting system.
work together to develop legis- strengthening of our political
lation, and this results in policies system.
that benefit a greater major-
2
NEWS IN BRIEF
HSA A PROUD
PARTICIPANT
IN NEW WEST
SOLAR GARDEN
HSA has subscribed to a plot
of five solar panels in the City
of New Westminster’s urban
solar garden, located on the
rooftop of the Queensborough
Community Centre. It is the first
municipally-led, community
Solar PV (Photovoltaic) initiative
in Metro Vancouver. Through
investing in the project, HSA
will benefit from access to MAUREEN STORY (RIGHT) WITH COLLEAGUES
renewable energy.
HSA MEMBERS HSA MEMBERS RECEIVE BC
INVITED TO HEALTH CARE AWARDS
COMPLETE
THE BC HEALTH CARE AWARDS ARE PRESENTED BY THE HEALTH
NATIONAL EMPLOYERS ASSOCIATION OF BC TO RECOGNIZE THE AMAZING
PHARMACARE HEALTH TEAMS AND HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS WHO
IMPROVE PUBLIC HEALTH CARE DELIVERY.
SURVEY
The federal government has HSA would like to congratulate the project team from Sunny Hill
struck an advisory council to Health Centre for Children awarded the Gold Apple level of the
examine the implementation of Dianna Mah-Jones Award for its leadership in creating and deliv-
a national Pharmacare program ering the International Seating Symposium, which most recently
in Canada. An online survey has brought together 1100 participants from 26 countries to share
been launched, giving people knowledge to improve the development of positioning and mobil-
across Canada the chance to ity equipment.
weigh in on questions surround-
ing funding models, eligibility, Congratulations to project team members: Maureen Story, Cathe-
and coverage. rine Ellens, Roslyn Livingstone, Bob Stickney, Jennifer Law, Lynore
McLean, Sherylin Gasior, Kathie Marina, Marnie Eastman, Janice
A 2018 HSA convention resolu-
Evans, Beth Ott, Kim Magnus, Veronica Atwill, Andy Brule, Pedro
tion directs the union to work
Peralta Elgueta, Pablo Quintero, Todd Romer, Daphne O’Young,
with allies to “urge the federal
Nicole Bruce, Sandy Lum, Aki Shigematsu
and provincial governments to
establish a comprehensive and
Congratulations are also in order to the project team of the Re-
universal national Pharmacare
sources and Needs Review Project of the Cumberland Community
program.” Members are encour-
Dialysis Facility of Nanaimo Regional General Hospital for receiv-
aged to complete the survey
ing the Dianna Mah-Jones Award of Merit. The project team’s cre-
and write to local MPs calling for
ation of a patient-centred resource manual has improved access
a universal, accessible, single-
to resources for kidney care patients, and innovative develop-
payer Pharmacare program.
ments in dialysis screening have reduced test wait times.
HSA has examined research
produced by Canada’s leading Congratulations to team members: Aimee Morry and Eileen Caro-
health economists and created lan.
a guide to the survey to support
members on the major issues. Dianna Mah-Jones was a long-time HSA member and a highly
respected and caring occupational therapist at GF Strong Reha-
It can be found online at www.
bilitation Centre. She was part of the therapy team at Vancouver
hsabc.org/news/members-
Coastal Health for 35 years. She was well known across the region,
guide-national-pharmacare-
province and nationally in the occupational therapy field. Dianna
survey.
achieved many career goals over the years, notably the 2015 Out-
Complete the online survey at standing Occupational Therapist of the Year from the Canadian
www.letstalkhealth.ca/pharma- Association of Occupational Therapists BC. She and her husband
care by September 28. were tragically killed at home in September 2017.
3
NEWS IN BRIEF
COMMUNITY SOCIAL SERVICE WORKERS RATIFY
THREE-YEAR COLLECTIVE AGREEMENT
WORKERS IN COMMUNITY low-wage redress to address
SOCIAL SERVICES HAVE recruitment and retention issues
RATIFIED A COLLECTIVE in the sector, in addition to a AGREEMENT HIGHLIGHTS
two per cent wage increase per
AGREEMENT, WITH 85.7 • Strong improvements to
year.
PER CENT OF VOTING occupational health &
MEMBERS SUPPORTING The new agreement will come safety including a Provincial
RATIFICATION. into effect April 1, 2019 and Occupational Health and Safety
expire March 31, 2022. Council
16,000 workers across the prov-
ince will be covered under the Kerry Hammell, a youth and • The restoration of statutory
collective agreement, negoti- family counsellor at John holiday pay for part-time and
ated by the Community Social Howard Society, alongside staff casual employees
Services Bargaining Association negotiator Sharon Geoghegan,
represented 1,000 HSA mem- • An improved process to assist
(CSSBA). the parties in better labour
bers at the bargaining table.
The agreement provides signifi- Ratification meetings took place relations
cant compensation increases for at HSA sites across the province • Enhancements to health and
workers in the general services during the months of July and welfare benefit plans to start
and community living sub- August. closing the gap with the health
sectors, allocating money for sector
• The renewal of the labour
adjustment education fund
and funding for health and
safety and violence prevention
training
HSA DELEGATES IN COMMUNITY SOCIAL
SERVICES AT HSA’S BARGAINING PROPOSAL
CONFERENCE, MARCH 22, 2018.
COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKERS VOTE TO SUPPORT NEW
COLLECTIVE AGREEMENT
COMMUNITY HEALTH SEC- task force to investigate guar- The vote announcement comes
TOR WORKERS, INCLUDING anteed hours and other issues, after a tentative agreement
1000 HSA MEMBERS, HAVE and allocates additional funding was reached in mid-June, the
VOTED IN FAVOUR OF A for the Enhanced Disability Man- result of weeks of negotiations
agement Program. Employees between the Community Health
TENTATIVE AGREEMENT
covered in this agreement work Bargaining Association (CBA),
REACHED WITH HEALTH in mental health and addiction and the Health Employers As-
EMPLOYERS. services, community service sociation of BC (HEABC).
The three-year agreement will agencies, health authorities,
HSA members were represented
take effect April 1, 2019 and provide services to seniors, and
at the bargaining table by staff
expire March 31, 2022. home care support services.
negotiator Jessica Derynck and
The new collective agreement “Our members deliver critical member representative Kather-
brings in yearly wage increases services to some of the most ine Oliver, a child care assistant
of two per cent in each of the vulnerable British Columbians,” at Thompson Nicola Family
next three years in addition to said HSA President Val Avery. Resource Society.
enhanced benefits, provisions “This agreement is an important
for improved scheduling, and step forward for our members
steps to address staff retention. and the communities they
It mandates the creation of a serve.”
4
NEWS IN BRIEF
PETITION FOR PAID SICK LEAVE LAUNCHED
more workers are properly clas- and a 16-page self-help kit
sified and protected under the was introduced. Workers were
ESA, and establishing a tempo- required to complete the kit
rary foreign worker registry. before being permitted to file a
complaint with the Employment
For employees without a union,
Standards Branch, resulting in
protections provided in the
a dramatic reduction in com-
ESA are crucial to minimizing
plaints filed.
exploitative labour practices and
providing a minimum standard Legislative amendments in-
of protections and benefits. creased the number of occu-
pations excluded from certain
According to a recent survey
provisions of the act or from the
conducted by the BC Federa-
act in its entirety, and protec-
tion of Labour, 40 per cent of
tions and benefits surrounding
respondents did not have
paid statutory holidays, over-
THE BC FEDERATION OF access to any paid sick leave.
time, and hours of work were
When required to work while
LABOUR (BC FED) HAS reduced. The Level the Playing
sick, a worker’s health can
LAUNCHED A NEW ONLINE become compromised and con-
Field campaign seeks redress
PETITION CALLING ON for some of these measures.
tagious diseases are more likely
THE PROVINCIAL GOV- to spread in the workplace. The
ERNMENT TO AMEND THE BC Fed is calling on the govern-
EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS ment to implement a minimum To sign the BC Fed’s petition
ACT (ESA) TO INCLUDE of 5 paid sick days per year for on paid leave, visit:
PAID SICK LEAVE FOR ALL all employees. www.leveltheplayingfield.ca/
EMPLOYEES IN BC. Benefits and protections in the sick_leave_petition
The petition is part of a broader ESA were gutted when the BC
“Level the Playing Field” labour Liberal government came into Or scan this
rights campaign, which calls on power in 2001. In addition, the with your
the provincial government to then-Campbell government cur-
phone’s
make a broad range of reforms tailed enforcement measures.
camera or QR
to the ESA, including eliminat- Nearly half of all employment
standards branches – respon- app:
ing exemptions to the minimum
wage, strengthening the defini- sible for education and enforce-
tion of “employee” to ensure ment of the act – were closed,
REPORT HIGHLIGHTS DISCREPANCIES BETWEEN
PUBLIC AND CONTRACTED-OUT LONG-TERM CARE
On Aug. 1, the BC Seniors Advo- of public facilities, $16 million to en masse firing and rehiring,
cate released a groundbreaking would be saved annually and an resident care may be affected.
report revealing that patients at additional 15,481 hospital bed
Staff retention rates may be
contracted-out long-term care days would be created, accord-
a factor impacting health
facilities are 32 per cent more ing to the report.
outcomes. “Constantly chang-
likely to visit an emergency
Despite equal funding on ing staff could also be prob-
department, 34 per cent more
average, private care facilities lematic as continuity of care
likely to be hospitalized, and 54
pay lower wages than public in nursing homes is proven to
per cent more likely to die in a
facilities. The report claims that link with better health out-
hospital bed, when compared
most of these facilities receive comes including lower rates of
to rates of publicly operated fa-
funding to pay higher wages hospitalization,” according to a
cilities. This is despite evidence
than are actually paid out. In press release from the Seniors
that the residents of contract-
public facilities with superior Advocate.
ed-out facilities are less frail and
wages and benefits, staff turn-
complex patients.
over is low, suggests the report.
If contracted facilities were In cases in the private sector
able to match the performance where contract flipping leads
5
ABOUT THE
PROVICE-WIDE
REFERENDUM
Registered voters will receive a
voter package in the mail with
a mail-in ballot between Oct. 22
and Nov. 2, and will have until
Nov. 30 to vote. Any Canadian
citizen 18 years of age or older
who has resided in B.C. for at
least six months prior to Nov.
30 will be eligible to vote, but
may need to update contact
information with Elections B.C.
in order to receive a ballot.
Contact Elections BC at 1-800-
661-8683 to find out if you are
registered to vote.
HSA MEMBER PATRICIA GARTNER WITH HER HUSBAND CHRIS LAURIE. GARTNER
IS A VOLUNTEER WITH WITH FAIR VOTE SOUTH OKANAGAN-SIMILKAMEEN.
PROPORTIONAL REPRESENTATION:
A MORE DEMOCRATIC WAY TO DO POLITICS
BETWEEN OCT. 22 AND NOV. 30, BRITISH COLUMBIANS WILL BE ASKED VIA MAIL-IN BALLOT IF
THEY SUPPORT ADOPTING A SYSTEM OF PROPORTIONAL REPRESENTATION. THREE SYSTEMS
HAVE BEEN PROPOSED: MIXED-MEMBER PROPORTIONAL, RURAL-URBAN PROPRTIONAL, OR
DUAL-MEMBER PROPORTIONAL.
BY SAMANTHA PONTING post (FPTP) or proportional “They are all good systems,”
HSA COMMUNICATIONS representation. says Tony Hodgson, president of
Vote PR BC, the official pro-PR
In a second question, voters
If a party gets 40 per cent of campaign of B.C.’s upcoming
will be asked which one of
the votes, it should receive 40 referendum. “They all preserve
three models of proportional
per cent of the seats. This is the the number of MLAs in each
representation they prefer
central feature of a proportional region of the province. And they
should a PR system be adopted:
representation (PR) electoral all allow voters to vote directly
Dual-Member Proportional,
system. While there are different for the individual candidate.”
Mixed-Member Proportional, or
models of PR that achieve Rural-Urban Proportional. As mandated by a 2018
this, all variations of PR seek convention resolution, HSA
to create a more direct link With each of these PR models,
actively supports changing
between who voters vote for all British Columbians would
B.C.’s FPTP election system to a
and who gets elected. still have a local MLA. The
PR system, and is encouraging
government has also set a five
Over 90 countries in the world members to engage in
per cent threshold for parties,
use a form of proportional referendum campaigns
meaning that in order to obtain
representation, including supporting PR.
a seat in the legislature, a party
Germany, Switzerland, Croatia, would need to receive at least One member engaged in the
Chile, Italy, and New Zealand. 80 5 per cent of the popular vote. campaign for electoral reform
per cent of OECD countries use This would ensure that parties is Patricia Gartner. Following
one, making Canada a bit of an with a voice at the table would an 18-year career practicing
anomaly when it comes to our be there by virtue of having a family law in Nelson, B.C.,
voting system. fair amount of support among Gartner relocated to Peachland
This fall, a province-wide voters in the province. and became an acute care
referendum will ask B.C. social worker at Penticton
These considerations
voters which electoral system Regional Hospital. This fall, she
make all three proportional
the province should use for is volunteering with Fair Vote
representation choices strong
its elections: first-past-the- South Okanagan-Similkameen.
options for B.C. voters.
6
INTERGENERATIONAL INTERVIEW
THREE THINGS YOU CAN DO
TO PROMOTE PROPORTIONAL harder to make policies that are more vulnerable to
REPRESENTATION: disproportionately affect one boundary manipulations – also
group of people.” known as gerrymandering. And
it encourages strategic voting,
1. Sign an HSA pledge to vote card, “You get policies that prevent
whereby a voter does not vote
and encourage 5 other HSA as much income inequality that
for their first-choice candidate.
members in your workplace to sign. otherwise might be generated.
You get polices that address the The voters “have to decide
health care needs of a broad whether they are going to vote
2. Register for a PR webinar. Visit
section of the population.” for somebody they like less and
www.hsabc.org for information on
maybe even dislike significantly
webinar opportunities. He said that PR leads to greater
in order to prevent the worst
voter satisfaction, which in turn
outcome for them,” explained
3. Help educate! Share HSA’s social results in more satisfaction with
Hodgson.
democracy and a higher voter
media posts. Take a selfie with your
turnout. In a 55-year study This can give a lot of decision-
pledge card.
conducted by world-renowned making authority to polls – and
political scientist Arend Liphart, we all know polls can be wrong.
Liphart found that voter turnout But perhaps the most glaring
was higher by 7.5 per cent in flaw in the FPTP system is that
countries with proportional it delivers skewed election
“I’m volunteering because I think
representation. results. It is commonplace for
there’s a number of positive
aspects of PR that I want to PR also leads to more a party to win the majority
make sure the voting public diverse legislatures and a of the power with a minority
knows about, so that people are greater portion of women in of voter support. In Ontario’s
motivated to vote and so that government. The same study 2018 election, Progressive
people are making informed concludes that there were, Conservative candidate Doug
decisions,” she said. on average, eight per cent Ford received 40.5 per cent of
more women represented the vote and 61 per cent of the
“With the FPTP winner-take-all seats at Queen’s Park.
in parliamentary bodies in
approach, each election you
countries with PR. When But we don’t have to look as
see how it ignores half or more
parties are able to put multiple far as Ontario to see such stark
of the voters in that particular
candidates forward in a discrepancies. In the 2001 B.C.
campaign.”
single riding, more balanced provincial election, the B.C.
She says the current system representation is likely. Liberals won 57.6 per cent of
leads to the ruling party the vote, but took 97 per cent
One myth about proportional
ignoring beneficial policy of the seats – all but two. The
representation is that it leads
proposals from other parties. Greens, with 12.4 per cent of the
to an increase in the number
“Proportional representation popular vote, were shut out of
of elections. But according a
would allow for a more the legislature completely.
53-year research study by York
collaborative approach to policy
University Associate Professor In more severe circumstances,
setting,” Gartner said.
Dennis Pilon, countries with FPTP delivers “wrong winner”
“I think the NDP and the a PR system do not have elections – when the party
Greens in BC have shown more frequent elections than winning the popular vote
how successful a coalition countries with FPTP systems. doesn’t become the ruling party.
government can be.” This happened in B.C.’s 1996
The downfalls of winner-take- election, and it happened in the
According to Hodgson, research
all systems 2016 U.S. election, resulting in
suggests that proportional
representation systems – Unlike PR, BC’s first-past-the- a “wrong winner” victory for
whereby parties collaborate to post system is a winner-take-all Donald Trump.
create policy – actually produce approach. For those voters Proportional representation
better social outcomes. whose chosen candidate loses, can help address some of the
their views aren’t likely to be problems that arise in FPTP
“Canada was the top ranked
represented in the legislature elections.
OECD country on the UN
by the local representative,
Human Development index. When the facts are laid out, it’s
according to Hodgson.
And in the last 20 years, easy to get excited about the
we’ve been overtaken by “The MLA is not really upcoming referendum and the
eight OECD countries that all accountable to those voters possibility it holds for a fairer
use proportional voting,” he because they’ve already way of doing politics. HSA will
explained. withheld their support and it’s be working with members on
had no effect. The MLA has a pledge to vote drive, among
With PR, because everyone
still been elected and still gets other educational initiatives.
has a seat at the table, policies
power,” he said. If you are interested in joining
are more likely to address the
concerns of a wider range of There are some other problems HSA’s referendum efforts, please
society, he said. “It becomes with a FPTP system. Elections contact Sam at sponting@
hsabc.org.
7
CANCERANDWORK.CA
COMPREHENSIVE WEBSITE A LEADING RESOURCE FOR
EMPLOYERS, HEALTH PRACTITIONERS, PATIENTS
BY SAMANTHA PONTING
HSA COMMUNICATIONS 20 years experience in the field, the world of return to work,
she has collected a wealth of these are important disciplines
“It’s probably one of the most expertise on the subject of in terms of guiding assessment,
comprehensive websites of its cancer and work. At BC Cancer, rehabilitation, and treatment,”
kind in oncology to help support she has been leading return to said Parkinson.
cancer survivors with returning, work groups since 2012. In 2014,
“It is kind of a funnel for global
remaining, and finding work,” she authored a 74-page manual
information as well,” she ex-
said HSA member Maureen called “Cancer and Returning
plained. “We engaged in writing
Parkinson, the co-lead for the to Work: A Practical Guide for
an amazing amount of new
CancerAndWork.ca project. Cancer Patients.”
material to fill in the gaps that
CancerAndWork.ca, a partner- The project was put into mo- weren’t being addressed glob-
ship between BC Cancer (BCC) tion when Christine Maheu, a ally.” She said that unlike many
and McGill University, was des- registered nurse and associate other websites, CancerAnd-
ignated a Leading Practice by professor at McGill University, Work.ca wasn’t created strictly
the Health Standards Organiza- approached Parkinson to do a in-house. “We knew enough to
tion this past July for being a research study on the BC Can- want to link to the best in the
practice that has “demonstrated cer return to work groups. Then world and the best in Canada in
a positive change, is people- a grant opportunity with the order to give the best advice.”
centred, safe, and efficient.” Canadian Partnership Against
The site provides a wide variety
Cancer (CPAC) presented itself,
It contains 450 pages of con- of tools and resources for can-
“and we decided, why don’t we
tent developed by the core cer survivors, healthcare profes-
throw a hat in and go for it,”
team and 27 expert writers in sionals, and employers. Its user-
explained Parkinson. “And on
partnership with the de Souza friendly design directs visitors
the fly we put together a core
Foundation’s information tech- to most relevant content based
team.”
nology team. It surveyed 150 on the type of user. For cancer
stakeholders, including cancer They were awarded the grant, survivors, it provides tools and
survivors, heath care providers, and “there went a fantastic but strategies for topics such as
and employers across Canada hectic two years full of team- returning to work, assessment
on desired content. building learning experience,” of work abilities, and promoting
said Parkinson. wellbeing at work.
Parkinson is the only vocational
and rehabilitation counsellor They brought together profes- Parkinson said the project has
working in a cancer setting in sionals from across the health been a massive collaborative ef-
a hospital in Canada, and with science professions. “I think in fort, with many contributors and
8
advisors largely volunteering. “I Promoting human rights tants, “the small employers and
am very proud of the fact that medium-sized employers may
A major asset of the website
we did a lot with very little.” not have the benefit of that
is the support it provides to
expertise,” explained Parkinson,
She compared the site to Can- employers who have little expe-
and CancerandWork.ca seeks to
cerAndCareers.org, a U.S.-based rience accommodating employ-
fill in the knowledge gap.
website that receives $2 million ees with disabilities or long-term
in annual funding. She said that illnesses. Parkinson stressed It outlines for employers their
CancerAndWork.ca was cre- that a supportive, accommodat- duty to reasonably accommo-
ated with a grant for $290,000, ing employer is fundamental to date those with a disability, lists
which even included the cost of a cancer survivor’s successful employers’ responsibilities, and
French language translation. return to work. defines key legal terms, includ-
ing “disability” and “undue
“A lot of people did this off the Not all employers are educated
hardship.”
side of the desk…It’s very much on their duty to accommodate
a labour of love.” workers with disabilities, includ- “This is a way of giving a Coles
ing long-term illnesses. A survey Notes in human rights and
According to Parkinson, many conducted by CPAC revealed directing them to the right
people in the health care field that without expertise from sources to guide them,” said
understood that there was a occupational health nursing or Parkinson.
gap in resources. “There was in-house expertise in accom-
desperate need for information, Likewise, the website helps can-
modation, employers require
she said. “Everybody was just cer survivors understand their
information on accommodation.
so keen to help out in terms of own rights within legislation.
creating this.” While larger employers may
When it comes to return to
have resources to hire consul-
work, “some employers move
mountains to make this happen
and be successful, and sadly,
rarely but sadly, some employ-
ers put mountains in people’s
HOW HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS way,” said Parkinson.
CAN ASSIST CANCER SURVIVORS
However, when employers are
flexible, emotionally supportive,
Parkinson says health care professionals – particularly in the rehabilita-
and foster a trusting environ-
tion professions – are very helpful in quantifying the effects of cancer
ment where work challenges
treatment and its impact on work abilities. This is useful for predicting can be discussed openly, a suc-
readiness to return to work, understanding the supports a patient will cessful return to work is more
need, and providing rehabilitation and psychological support. There likely.
are some additional ways a health care professional can support a
patient with cancer, according to Parkinson.
THANK YOU TO ALL HSA
• Check-in with cancer patients to see if they have any work MEMBERS WHO MADE THIS
concerns in early assessment. RESOURCE A REALITY:
• Translate assessments for patients. How does a symptom impact
MAUREEN PARKINSON,
the patient’s ability to do work?
TAMMY LEE, DR. DOUGLAS
• Encourage patients to communicate regarding function. Patients
OZIER, MELANIE MCDONALD,
should be encouraged to reference abilities, not just symptoms, DR. AMANDA K. LAMARRE,
when applying for government and insurance supports and AND AMY RAPPAPORT.
communicating with employers.
• Make no assumptions about how treatment impacts an individual.
• Ask patients what they need, what challenges they are facing,
and how they would like support.
• Direct patients to helpful resources.
• Encourage cancer survivors to stay in contact with their
workplace while on leave from work.
9
CONVENTION 2018
SOLIDARITY
ACROSS BORDERS
HSA members share stories
from the Summer Institute for
Union Women
This past July, HSA provided scholarships to three HSA members to attend
the 37th annual Western Regional Summer Institute for Union Women
(SIUW), a five-day conference held at Sonoma State University in California,
sponsored by the AFL-CIO. The institute brings together 150 activists from
unions, worker centres, and community organizations to develop leader-
ship and community organizing skills, share knowledge, and build bonds
of solidarity. This year’s theme was “The RESISTERhood—Working Womxn
Organizing for Collective Power.”
HSA scholarship winners Brooke Carter, a medical laboratory technologist
from Royal Jubilee Hospital, and Carol Guerra, an advocate at Kettle Friend-
ship Society, share their own reflections on the conference.
HSA SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS BROOKE CARTER,
CAROL GUERRA, AND GLADYS OSAWAMICK
10 SOLIDARITY ACTION IN SUPPORT OF HYATT REGENCY
HOTEL HOUSEKEEPERS IN SANTA ROSA, CA.SUMMER INSTITUTE FOR UNION WOMEN
For me, the whole experience was memorable from beginning to end. I met two wonderful sisters from HSA whom I
had the pleasure of sharing the whole experience with.
The energy at the conference was inspiring. So many women who shared the same values and visions made it an abso-
lute bonding experience. The highlight for me was the action that took place at the Hyatt Regency Hotel. It was a very
emotional day for me. We were all there fighting for our sisters.
At one point, four housekeeping employees came out during their break to thank us and it almost brought me to tears.
They were so thankful for our support. It was a hot day and we did a lot of chanting with placards. It clearly demon-
strated how the power of the people united can make a change.
We wouldn’t be there if we weren’t for HSA. HSA allowed us to be there to support our sisters in their struggles. That,
in itself, just goes to show how important collective action is.
There was one point where the assistant manager was given a petition and he said, “No, I can’t take it.” We started
chanting stronger and louder, and he came back and said, “Ok, I will take that.” That was probably the highlight of my
whole stay there –being able to be a part of that. And if it wasn’t for HSA, I would have never experienced such an
important action. It was remarkable.
- CAROL GUERRA, ADVOCATE AT KETTLE FRIENDSHIP SOCIETY
This July, I had the privilege of being granted a scholarship by HSA to attend SIUW in Sonoma, California. This five-day
conference included working women participants from many professions, travelling from British Columbia, Washing-
ton, Oregon, and even as far as Japan. Many participants were leaders in their organizations, or aspiring to be, and
many more were looking to strengthen contacts and gain skills. Some were still simply seeking recognition in belong-
ing to a profession.
The days were long and productive. I was in classes or group activities every day from 8:30am to 9:30pm. These in-
cluded core courses, workshops, plenaries, and affinity group meetings.
My core course was called “Building Inclusive Organizations,” in which we spent a lot of time unpacking concepts of
privilege and intersectionality. The end goal was to recognize areas of improvement in our own interactions, and to
cultivate a sense of belonging in our organizations to ensure that everyone always has a voice.
My workshop itinerary included “Bargaining for the Collective Good” and “Researching Your Organization,” which each
provided useful tools for navigating the balancing of interests between employer and organized workforce, in a way
that common goals can be realized.
Affinity Groups provided safe spaces for intersectional conversations, and mentoring circles provided support to aspir-
ing leaders from those who have paved the way.
The Institute was held in what is known as “language Justice,” meaning that participants were free to express them-
selves fully in either English or Spanish, and translation equipment was available. This was truly an enjoyable experi-
ence.
An impactful activity was when, during an afternoon, we all traveled in several busloads to join a job action in support
of local hotel staff who had been organizing underground for a year. They faced safety issues and were undercompen-
sated and overworked, and they were demanding a contract.
After spending most of the week exploring some of the unearned privilege that I sometimes take for granted, I was
able to leverage it in a meaningful way as part of a throng of powerful, diverse folk demanding fair treatment for de-
serving staff. Our action attracted the attention of journalists and city councillors.
Overall, it was a pleasure to spend time with so many fantastic women – including aircraft mechanics, longshore work-
ers, boilermakers, teachers, health care workers, sex workers, domestic workers, and managers – to learn their stories,
share mine, and experience a level of hopefulness for the future that feels a bit rare sometimes. I left realizing that the
only thing I care about now is the type of community that we can create for each other and those entering the work-
ing world very soon.
With everything that is happening on both sides of our border at the policy level and at the grassroots, we’re expe-
riencing different situations that either challenge us or bless us. In the face of new boycotts, trade tariffs, and other
power shifts, there is always a labour perspective to apply: solidarity across borders is always the answer.
- BROOKE CARTER, MEDICAL LABORATORY TECHNOLOGIST AT ROYAL JUBILEE HOSPITAL
11
PHOTOS: BROOKE CARTER
AND CAROL GUERRARemembering a worker’s hero
PHOTOS: RON POGUE PHOTOGRAPHY
THIS JULY MARKED THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF GINGER GOODWIN’S
MURDER. A REENACTMENT OF HIS FUNERAL TOOK PLACE IN
CUMBERLAND, AND HSA WAS THERE.
On July 27, 1918, in the mountains near Cumberland, B.C., a gunshot rang out. Its echoes continue to be heard.
On that July day, Special Constable Dan Campbell – a disgraced former member of the B.C. Provincial Police – led a
search party into the mountains near Cumberland, B.C. to track down labour organizer, socialist, and conscientious ob-
jector, Albert “Ginger” Goodwin.
Born in England in 1887, Albert Goodwin—later nicknamed “Ginger” because of his red hair—first started working in the
mines at the age of 12. By the age of 15 he had participated in his first picket line, and by 1906, he had moved to Cape
Breton, N.S., where he continued to mine coal.
In 1909, a particularly brutal strike involving the United Mine Workers of America solidified his commitment to labour
activism and socialist perspectives after witnessing first-hand the brutal treatment of fellow workers and their fami-
lies. Goodwin and many others ended up moving west to find work, with Goodwin eventually settling in Cumberland in
1910 to take a job in the Number 5 mine. The Cumberland coal mines were particularly dreadful, with over 170 fatalities
already on record by that point. Number
5 mine was the gassiest of them all.
When the big strike of 1912-14 broke out in the mines up and down Vancouver Island, Ginger Goodwin was already a
member of the Socialist Party of Canada (SPC) and the United Mineworkers of America, but he became more formally
involved at that time, mentored by Joseph Naylor who worked at Number 7 mine.
After the strike ended in 1914, Goodwin, along with many others were left unemployed and blacklisted by company
owners. Goodwin moved to Trail, where he took a job at the Consolidated Mining and Smelting Company and continued
organizing with a renewed passion against the backdrop of WWI and the role of the smelter in war time production.
When the highly unpopular 1917 Military Service Act, which led to conscription, was introduced, Goodwin showed up for
his medical examination but was classified as temporarily unfit for service due to his ill health. However, when Goodwin
successfully led the first-ever strike at the smelter approximately a month after this classification, he received a notice for
re-examination only 11 days later and was deemed “fit” for service.
Goodwin was targeted because of his politics and strength as an organizer. He took refuge in the mountains and men
like Dan Campbell saw it as their personal mission to track him and other conscientious objectors down.
On the day of Goodwin’s funeral, August 2, workers in Cumberland and Vancouver downed their tools and did not go to
work. In Cumberland, the biggest funeral procession ever witnessed in the community accompanied Goodwin to his final
resting place, while in Vancouver, workers came together in what is considered Canada’s first general strike.
This piece was written by the Cumberland Museum & Archives. It has been edited for length.
www.minersmemorial.ca | www.cumberlandmuseum.ca
12OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY
Michelle Apps, social worker, Vancouver Community Mental Health Services
HOW MY OH&S COMMITTEE IS
ADDRESSING VIOLENCE RISKS FACING
FRONTLINE WORKERS
BY MICHELLE APPS
HSA MEMBER
maintaining positive connec- ICMT work spaces, examines
tions to health care through historical data in regards to
I AM A SOCIAL WORKER providing primary care, mental violence, gives a comparison to
ON THE WOMEN’S INTEN- health care, and support with a similar program, provides a
finding and maintaining housing. policy review, and includes the
SIVE CASE MANAGEMENT
As ICMT staff often work alone feedback from an ICMT staff
TEAM (ICMT), AND I HAVE
in the community, we can be ex- survey.
BEEN SITTING ON THE posed to high levels of different
VANCOUVER COMMUNITY Some of the actions that came
types of violence almost daily,
MENTAL (VCH) HEALTH from the violence risk assess-
including verbal aggression.
ment include ensuring that staff
SERVICES’ JOINT OCCU-
Last fall, a Violence Risk As- have taken the violence preven-
PATIONAL HEALTH AND sessment Tool was sent out to tion program, and organizing
SAFETY (JOHS) COMMIT- Intensive Case Management violence prevention course
TEE SINCE I STARTED WITH Team employees to survey and refreshers on an annual basis.
VCH IN FEBRUARY 2017. assess the levels of violence that
This report is useful in that it
We meet monthly and have we experience in our work-
gives ICMT staff and leadership
representatives present from place. From that feedback and
clear examples and direction
different unions and disciplines. expertise, along with input from
in regards to preventing and
the Violence Assessment team
The ICMTs are multidisciplinary mitigating risk of violence in our
members from the Intensive
outreach-based teams working workplaces, making our work
Case Management teams, a
with people living in Vancou- safer for us and for our clients. I
report entitled “Violence Risk
ver’s Downtown Eastside with would recommend that all joint
Assessment Final Report” was
mental health and substance occupational health and safety
drafted in conjunction with
use disorders. As staff, we go committees undertake a vio-
VCH’s Workplace Health depart-
out into the community to meet lence risk assessment with their
ment. Workplace Health sup-
with our clients in their homes, teams to incorporate important
ports VCH staff in preventing
on the street, or in shelters. feedback from all frontline staff.
workplace illness and injuries.
We work with our clients to This thorough report includes
support them in making and an environment assessment of
13MUSIC THERAPY
THE BURNABY CENTRE FOR MENTAL
“IT’S OFTEN THE BUY-IN TO
STAY IN RECOVERY”
MUSIC THERAPY AS A TOOL FOR REHABILITATION
BY SAMANTHA PONTING music therapist at the Burnaby
HSA COMMUNICATIONS Centre for Mental Health and
Addictions, and teaches part-
time at Capilano University in
MOST PEOPLE ASSUME the music therapy program.
MUSIC THERAPY IS EITHER
Kirkland describes music
A SING-ALONG OR RELAX- therapy as the use of “music-
ATION, ACCORDING TO centred experiences as agents
HSA MEMBER AND MUSIC for change. It’s based on musical
THERAPIST KEVIN KIRK- experiences and the therapeutic
LAND. relationship.”
“That is part of what you do, but In the field of mental health
just a small part.” and addictions, music therapy
is used as a tool for self-
When Kirkland first graduated
expression and processing life
with a bachelor’s degree in
experiences. It is often coupled
music, he was among those who
with counselling, which is in
didn’t know much about music
the scope of practice for music
therapy. “I hadn’t heard of music
therapists.
therapy but I had seen books in
the library on it,” said Kirkland. Music therapy is “a blend of
insight and capabilities,” accord-
Upon graduation, he launched
ing to Kirkland. “And it’s a fun
into a career teaching piano and
way into opening up and talking
music theory, but hated it. After HSA MEMBER KEVIN KIRKLAND
about issues.” The approaches
working a job in the admitting
used are often based on a cli-
department of a hospital, he felt
ent’s interests.
inspired to combine his love of training, and it’s often the buy-in
music with health care. For some, this may involve to stay in recovery because they
playing music and engaging in like music and they come to the
He learned of a music therapy
a recording process. “A lot of cli- music studio. We have record-
program at Capilano University
ents are able to play music even ing software and guitars and
in North Vancouver and decided
though they have had no formal drums and instruments.” And
to audition. He now works as a
14MUSIC THERAPY
L HEALTH AND ADDICTIONS (BCMHA) MUSIC STUDIO. THE BCMHA BAND.
when clients enter the studio facing their communities. He been used in geriatrics, pal-
and engage with the recording spoke of one client in recovery liative care, and in children’s
software, they may walk away who used rap to write about health. But Capilano University
with a new skill. drinking, overdose deaths, and is increasingly applying mu-
suicide on his nation’s reser- sic therapy to adult and teen
In the program Rap and Re-
vation. The lyrics served as a mental health, including the
covery, Kirkland uses rap as a
springboard into a group dis- treatment of drug addiction and
therapeutic tool. “Clients write
cussion surrounding the legacy early psychosis.
personally meaningful lyrics
of residential schools and the
about their lives, or mental For employers participating in
impacts of intergenerational
Capilano University’s music ther-
apy internship program, a music
therapist is sometimes brought
“Music therapy is used as a tool for self- in to supervise a student, since
expression and processing life experiences.” one may not exist at the facility.
For mental health facilities that
accept student interns in music
health, or the recovery process, colonial violence. therapy for the first time, reac-
and record it to a beat, and tions are very positive.
“Six months in and he did not
turn it into an .mp3. They have “They would go, ‘oh my God, we
have a relapse,” said Kirkland.
a product that they can listen have to have a music therapist.
For him, this speaks to the suc-
back to.” The client may some- This works really well. How do
cesses of the Rap and Recovery
times engage in a discussion we do this? How do we create a
program.
with the music therapist about job?’” said Kirkland.
their lyrics. Expanding opportunities for As an HSA member, Kirkland is
Kirkland said music therapy music therapy particularly interested in creat-
has made a major contribution Kirkland said he would like to ing unionized job positions for
to some peoples’ lives. “I think see an increased awareness by music therapists in BC. “How
the most successes are with health facilities and decision- do we create positions that are
those who are probably on the makers about what music unionized and not just always
cusp of not succeeding, but therapy is and how it can work contracted? We’ve had discus-
they like music so much that in particular health settings. sions with facilities who are
they stay engaged with it, and “There are areas of practice that looking to hire and what kind
that becomes the focus of their are newer and emerging,” said of parameters are best for that,
sobriety.” Kirkland. and how to create an HSA posi-
“Whether they have a relapse ton for it.”
“Riverview Hospital had several
or not, they come back to music music therapists. It’s established
and they are able to stay with in mental health there but not
it,” he said. so much in general in Vancouver
Kirkland has had clients who use or in BC.”
rap to write about social issues Traditionally, music therapy has
15MEMBER PROFILE
STRENGTHENING
HEALTH SERVICES
FOR INDIGENOUS
PEOPLES
AN INTERVIEW WITH CHARLENE HELLSON
Aboriginal Wellness Program Coordinator,
Vancouver Coastal Health
CHARLENE HELLSON
BEGAN HER WORK about VCH’s newly launched and trans people in the DTES.
WITH VANCOUVER mobile health van in the Down- Why is this initiative impor-
COASTAL HEALTH’S (VCH) town Eastside (DTES), and why tant?
ABORIGINAL HEALTH it’s important for Indigenous
Indigenous women – we are one
DEPARTMENT IN OCTOBER, peoples to have culturally safe
of the most vulnerable popula-
2017. AS COORDINATOR care that can meet them where
tions in Canada. We experi-
OF THE ABORIGINAL they’re at.
ence racism and sexism and we
WELLNESS PROGRAM, experience domestic violence
SHE IS INTEGRAL TO THE What do you enjoy most about
and murder at a higher rate than
WORK OF HER TEAM. your work?
the rest of the Canadian popula-
I enjoy the small team I work tion. This is a result of past and
She coordinates and chairs with. We have a critical analy- ongoing colonization. And so
team meetings, provides sup- sis of colonization and how it we see an overrepresentation of
port to therapists, and repre- impacts Indigenous people. We Indigenous women in the DTES,
sents her team at the regional all have a commitment together who comprise 30 per cent of its
mental health substance use to decolonize in our healing population.
directors’ meetings and op- practices.
erational managers’ meetings. Like many of us, Indigenous
She supports clients through I enjoy supporting the groups. I women in the DTES have ex-
guiding them through intake don’t facilitate them but I help perienced sexual violence and
procedures and taking intake with food preparation. And we have chronic health care issues.
requests. had a burning ceremony in the Personal histories of trauma
spring for the grief and loss have created vulnerability that
Hellson has a wealth of experi- group. puts them at great risk. It is
ence in health and community critical that they have culturally
social services. She has worked The burning ceremony is a
safe care that can meet them
in Indigenous mental health for ceremony where you feed the
where they’re at. Many Indig-
over 15 years, previously at Al- spirits of the loved ones who’ve
enous women are not going
berta Health Services and then moved on to the spirit world.
to walk into a hospital willingly
at Vancouver’s Women Against It’s a very healing ceremony,
unless they absolutely have
Violence Against Women and it was beautiful to witness
to. They don’t want to experi-
(WAVAW) Rape Crisis Centre. the west coast ceremony. It was
ence stigma, they don’t want to
Hailing from Calgary, Alberta, conducted by the Musqueam,
experience racism. Indigenous
Hellson is Blackfoot. but many Coast Salish peoples
Women in the DTES are strug-
do this ceremony. It was an
She spoke to HSA about VCH’s gling with their lives and they
amazing ceremony to support
new Cultural Safety Training don’t need to add another layer
and to witness.
and how health services can of humiliation.
transform to more effectively VCH now operates a mobile It’s important to note that
meet the needs of Indigenous health van to provide on-the- women in the DTES have each
peoples. She also spoke to us spot health services to women
16INDIGENOUS HEALTH SERVICES
other. There’s such a strong
community, and they become
family to each other. And they
can encourage each other to
connect with the mobile health
van. I know that the word is go-
ing to spread very quickly. In the
Indigenous community we call it
the moccasin telegram.
We know that if your health is
good, then you feel better about
yourself. That has major impacts
and has a ripple effect through-
out your whole life and for your VANCOUVER COASTAL HEALTH’S NEW MOBILE HEALTH VAN,
loved ones as well. SERVICING THE DOWNTOWN EASTSIDE.
Can you speak to the health
disparity between Indigenous How can health professionals providers need to understand
and non-Indigenous people? be more effective in delivering that, meet it with compassion,
Why is it important that health health services to Indigenous and be reflective of what they
services take a decolonial lens patients? are bringing to that interaction.
to their work?
There’s a historical mistrust As Indigenous people, we see
Of course we see health dispari- of health care services on the doctors, physicians, social work-
ties. It is a really wide gap in all Indigenous experience of health ers, psychiatrists, and nurses
areas of health. We are a small care. It has been unfortunate – as healers. Our concept of a
percentage of the community very scary and harmful. I think healer is someone who is kind
and yet we are overrepresented that what health care provid- and compassionate. And when
with chronic health issues, acute ers need to understand is that we don’t experience that, we
health issues, and especially there is a historical context. withdraw and we avoid health
mental health issues. And it all Each Indigenous individual who care until it’s too late. We end
originates from the impacts of enters into health care carries up in the hospital anyway with
colonization and the historical historical trauma and it’s going chronic or terminal health is-
trauma that ensued from that, to manifest in that health care sues.
which we all carry today. interaction.
Do you have any further advice
And so I think that health care
for fellow HSA members?
I would encourage staff who
would like to learn more to con-
nect with the cultural coordi-
nator and take in the cultural
safety training. It is powerful and
it will help transform practice.
We do have a cultural safety
policy (for VCH) that will be
signed off by Patty Daly (chief
medical health officer and the
vice president, public health
for VCH), so it is going to be
policy to deliver culturally safe
services. Aboriginal Health pro-
vides Indigenous Cultural Safety
training for VCH staff, which is
headed by Jennifer-Lee Koble
and was created by Riel Dupuis-
Rossi, one of our therapists at
the Aboriginal Wellness Pro-
gram. A pilot has been launched
at VGH to train health care pro-
viders. We’re training frontline
staff, and we are hoping to really
impact services, transform care,
and create culturally safe care
for Indigenous people across
HSA MEMBER CHARLENE HELLSON the health continuum.
17COMMUNITY BENEFITS AGREEMENT
PUBLIC POLICY AND THE UNION
ADVANTAGE
NEW COMMUNITY BENEFITS AGREEMENT
SUPPORTS WORKERS’ RIGHTS, LOCAL
COMMUNITIES
BY SAMANTHA PONTING
and training of these groups. Pattullo Bridge replacement
HSA COMMUNICATIONS project and the four lane expan-
Over the past 20 years, CBAs
sion of the Trans-Canada High-
have emerged across North
THE PROVINCIAL GOVERN- way between Kamloops and
America. They are agreements
MENT HAS ANNOUNCED Alberta. The province is starting
between government and
with two projects and looking
THAT SELECT MAJOR contractors that seek to maxi-
to expand the model to other
PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURE mize the social and economic
public infrastructure projects,
PROJECTS WILL PROCEED benefits of a project. They can
such as hospitals.
UNDER A NEWLY ESTAB- generate greater fairness in hir-
LISHED COMMUNITY BEN- ing, increase economic opportu- Newly-created crown corpora-
nities for workers, and strength- tion BC Infrastructure Benefits
EFITS AGREEMENT (CBA).
en local economies through Inc. (BCIB) will be responsible
The CBA will create increased ensuring that local communities for hiring the projects’ con-
opportunities for Indigenous receive direct benefits from a struction workers, who will be
peoples, women, apprentices, public infrastructure project. unionized with the correspond-
and local workers through pro- ing trade union in that jurisdic-
The BC government’s new CBA
visions that prioritize the hiring tion. With the BCIB serving as a
will apply to Metro Vancouver’s
18MENTAL HEALTH AND ADDICTIONS
PHOTOS: CURTEOUSY OF COMMUNITY BENEFITS COALITION OF BC
unionized employer, the workers Until that cultural shift happens, equity
contracted for a project are en-
sured good wages and benefits. measures are crucial to increasing
Any contractor, union or non- retention rates for women in the trades.
union, may bid on the work
and supervise the project. The
province will manage the proj-
ect’s payroll and supply workers. a major part in denying women and may help them establish a
This model marks a major step employment opportunities. And career in the trades.
forward for the province’s con- when women do find work, they
In her role as coordinator for the
struction workers. are often the first to be laid off,
BC Centre for Women and the
she said. “Its viewed that she
The BCIB will prioritize hiring Trades, Brynjolfson is working
may miss more time or won’t be
qualified Indigenous workers, with industry partners to create
as dedicated because her family
women in the trades, and lo- a cultural change in the con-
may come first, or if she has a
cal workers – defined as those struction industry, whereby di-
sick child then she has to go
within a 100 km radius, in most versity and inclusion are valued.
tend to them and leave work.”
circumstances. The CBA will Until that cultural shift happens,
also maximize apprenticeship Brynjolfson knows first-hand equity measures are crucial to
opportunities, as part of a strat- how difficult it is for women increasing retention rates for
egy for addressing the prov- to succeed in the trades. She women in the trades.
ince’s skilled trades shortage. worked in the trades for 20
She said the CBA will benefit
years, specializing as an electri-
For women who wish to pursue local workers, too. “Apprentices
cian in commercial, high-volt-
careers in the trades, the CBA and women who are getting
age, and industrial work.
will help put them on a path into their trade now have the
to success. Currently, only four “There’s stereotypes that are opportunity to work in their
percent of tradespeople in BC put on women’s backs that communities and be trained in
are women. don’t allow them to just learn their communities rather than
their craft, be an apprentice, have to travel for work. So it’s
According to the BC Centre for
and become a journey at their beneficial that way.”
Women and the Trades Co-
craft,” she said. “If you’re always
ordinator Sandra Brynjolfson, Because jobs will be created at
laid off, it’s hard to finish your
women can face difficulty find- the local level, local economies
apprenticeships, hard to get the
ing and keeping jobs. “Believe will also benefit.
hours, hard to get the roof over
it or not, some companies just
the head and the food on the
out-and-out don’t hire women.”
table.”
Brynjolfson, who is also the
Brynjolfson said CBA’s priority
co-chair of Build Together, the
hiring and training measures
women’s caucus of BC Building
will keep women on the job site
Trades, said discrimination plays
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