10.01°C Vancouver

Jan 23, 2025 7:35 PM - Connect Newsroom

B.C. Government Faces Challenge as Contracts of 400,000 Public Sector Workers Expire

Share On
b-c-government-faces-challenge-as-contracts-of-400-000-public-sector-workers-expire
These workers include nurses, hospital staff, and post-secondary school instructors and support staff.

The B.C. government is facing a challenging situation as the contracts of 400,000 public sector workers are set to expire this year, in both the spring and fall. Amid fiscal issues and potential tariffs from the Trump administration, the province will need to negotiate new contracts with unions regarding wages and other demands.

These workers include nurses, hospital staff, and post-secondary school instructors and support staff. The challenge comes as the provincial government projects a $9.4-billion deficit for this fiscal year and has pledged to take steps to reduce it.

The nurses’ union, whose contract expires on March 31, has stated that it will raise the issues of nurses' safety and working conditions during negotiations, according to union president Adriane Gear.

Latest news

IndiaOct 09, 2025

Guru Nanak Dev University forms special committee to mark 350th martyrdom anniversary of Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib and Sikh martyrs

Preparations are underway at Guru Nanak Dev University (GNDU) in Amritsar to commemorate the 350th martyrdom anniversary of ninth Sikh Guru, Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib Ji and the revered Sikh martyrs - Bhai Mati Das Ji, Bhai Sati Das Ji, and Bhai Dayal Das Ji - under the spiritual guidance of Sri Akal Takht Sahib. To honour the occasion with devotion and academic depth, GNDU has constituted a special advisory committee of Sikh scholars and educationists. The committee includes Dr. Balkar Singh, Dr. Kehar Singh, Dr. Sarbjinder Singh, Vice-Chancellor Sunny Oberai of Vivek Sadan University, Sri Anan
white-rock-rcmp-continue-to-search-for-justin-fisher-two-years-after-his-disappearance
BCOct 08, 2025

White Rock RCMP continue to search for Justin Fisher, two years after his disappearance

On the two-year anniversary of his disappearance, White Rock RCMP is renewing their plea for information about Justin Fisher. On October 8, 2023, White Rock RCMP received a report of found property and determined it belonged to Justin Kyle Fisher. The last known sighting of Justin Fisher was in White Rock, BC in the 15000 block of Marine Drive, on October 7, 2023. His backpack containing his belongings was found in the water about 100 metres offshore by a kayaker on October 8, 2023. Based on our investigation, we do not believe there is any criminality associated to his disappearance. As the i
alberta-education-minister-concerned-about-private-school-funding-petition
AlbertaOct 08, 2025

Alberta education minister concerned about private school funding petition

Alberta's education minister says cutting government funding to private schools would only escalate the pressure faced by the province's strained public school system. Demetrios Nicolaides says thousands of children would need to find new schools to attend, likely public schools, which he says are already under immense pressure. The funding cut is a move one Calgary teacher is hoping to put to a vote. This week Alberta's chief electoral officer approved the teacher's proposed referendum question, which asks: ``Should the Government of Alberta end its current practice of allocating
all-b-c-government-liquor-cannabis-stores-now-behind-workers-pickets
BCOct 08, 2025

All B.C. government liquor, cannabis stores now behind workers' pickets

All remaining British Columbia-run liquor and cannabis stores in the province are now behind picket lines as public service workers step up union job action. The escalation by the BC General Employees' Union also includes all Service BC workers, raising the total number of members participating in job action to almost 25,000. Private liquor and cannabis stores in B.C. remain open, but they are supplied by provincial government distribution warehouses that are also behind picket lines. Service BC provides residents with services related to drivers licensing, income and disability ass
house-committee-adds-language-security-checks-to-lost-canadians-bill
CanadaOct 08, 2025

House committee adds language, security checks to 'Lost Canadians' bill

The House of Commons immigration committee is recommending most adults eligible for birthright citizenship under the "Lost Canadians" bill fulfil similar requirements to immigrant applicants, on language, knowledge of Canadian history and security checks. MPs on the committee adopted amendments on Tuesday to Bill C-3, which will go back to the House of Commons for approval. The bill responds to a 2023 Ontario court ruling overturning a Stephen Harper-era law which prohibited Canadians born aboard from passing down citizenship if their children were not born in Canada The bill proposes that in

Related News