Skip to Main content

17.08°^C Vancouver

News Entertainment Sports Videos Shows Podcast Contact Us

Apr 1, 2021 8:39 PM -

B.C. safeguards time off for workers to get vaccinated: labour minister

Share On

b-c-safeguards-time-off-for-workers-to-get-vaccinated-labour-minister

A dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine is given to a recipient at a vaccination site in Vancouver on Thursday, March 11, 2021.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward

Job-protected leave has been written into British Columbia's Employment Standards Act to give workers time off to get their COVID-19 vaccinations.

Labour Minister Harry Bains says the safeguard will ensure that no one will lose their job if they need time away to get vaccinated.

The changes allow part-time and full-time workers to take as much time as needed to travel and receive the vaccine or to take a dependent family member to get their shot, though no specific time has been set out.

Bains says he know that most businesses understand the importance of having their employees vaccinated to provide a safe place for workers and their customers.

The regulatory changes also include expanding job-protection leave for reasons related to COVID-19, aligning with federal government sickness and caregiver benefits.

Those changes would allow a worker in the province to take leave if they need to care for other family members because of COVID-19 while their job remains protected.

Latest news

high-risk-driving-enforcement-in-burnaby-puts-the-brakes-on-170-drivers

High Risk Driving enforcement in Burnaby puts the brakes on 170 drivers

Burnaby Traffic Services caught up with 170 drivers over the month of May who were found to be speeding excessively, as part of a high-risk driving enforcement campaign. Enforcement was carried out at various locations and times of day. The drivers were all travelling over 40 kilometres above the posted speed limit, and had their vehicles impounded for seven days. They also received a $368 violation ticket. In one incident, a 19-year-old new driver was travelling at 146 kilometres an hour in a 50-kilometre zone. “When our officer indicated the driver needed to pull over, the vehicle was trav

fifa-world-cup-opener-in-vancouver-sets-public-transit-ridership-record

CanadaJun 15, 2026

FIFA World Cup opener in Vancouver sets public transit ridership record

The first FIFA World Cup 2026 match in Vancouver drove public transit use to record levels, with TransLink reporting the busiest stadium-event day on its network since the 2010 Winter Olympics. According to TransLink, more than 1.03 million boardings were recorded across the region on June 13, representing a 14 per cent increase compared with a typical Saturday in June. The agency also reported approximately 648,200 total trips, up 18 per cent from normal demand levels. Thousands of soccer fans travelled to BC Place and the FIFA Fan Festival to attend the match between Australia and Türkiye.

Motorcyclist Killed in Maple Ridge Collision; Investigation Ongoing

One person has died following a collision involving a motorcycle and a truck in Maple Ridge on Saturday night. The crash occurred at approximately 8:45 p.m. at the intersection of Lougheed Highway and 287 Street. According to information provided by authorities, the collision caused significant damage to the motorcycle, while the truck's airbags deployed. Paramedics responded to the scene and provided emergency medical treatment to two people before transporting them to hospital in stable condition. Authorities later confirmed that one person died as a result of the crash. The collision prompt

CanadaJun 15, 2026

Canada reports second consecutive annual decline in opioid overdose deaths

Canada recorded a second straight year-over-year decline in opioid overdose deaths, according to the latest federal report on substance-related harms. Health Canada reported that 5,630 people died from opioid overdoses in 2025, down from previous years following an earlier decline recorded in 2024. Despite the reduction, officials said the crisis continues to pose a significant public health challenge across the country. According to the federal report, opioid-related deaths averaged about 15 per day last year. The report also found a 23 per cent decrease in the national death rate linked to o

CanadaJun 15, 2026

Metro Vancouver outside workers begin full strike after 17 months without contract

Approximately 700 Metro Vancouver outside workers have begun a full strike after working for the past 17 months without a collective agreement. According to the Greater Vancouver Regional District Employees' Union, workers launched the job action after contract negotiations failed to produce an agreement. Union president Jesse Medeiros said management has continued to ignore concerns raised by frontline employees who provide essential services across the region. The union said its key demands include improved worker safety measures, limits on contracting out work to private companies, and stro

Related News

High Risk Driving enforcement in Burnaby puts the brakes on 170 drivers

High Risk Driving enforcement in Burnaby puts the brakes on 170 drivers

Burnaby Traffic Services caught up with 170 drivers over the month of May who were found to be speeding excessively, as part of a high-risk driving enforcement campaign. Enforcement was carried out at various locations and times of day. The drivers were all travelling over 40 kilometres above the posted speed limit, and had their vehicles impounded for seven days. They also received a $368 violation ticket. In one incident, a 19-year-old new driver was travelling at 146 kilometres an hour in a 50-kilometre zone. “When our officer indicated the driver needed to pull over, the vehicle was trav

Motorcyclist Killed in Maple Ridge Collision; Investigation Ongoing

Motorcyclist Killed in Maple Ridge Collision; Investigation Ongoing

One person has died following a collision involving a motorcycle and a truck in Maple Ridge on Saturday night. The crash occurred at approximately 8:45 p.m. at the intersection of Lougheed Highway and 287 Street. According to information provided by authorities, the collision caused significant damage to the motorcycle, while the truck's airbags deployed. Paramedics responded to the scene and provided emergency medical treatment to two people before transporting them to hospital in stable condition. Authorities later confirmed that one person died as a result of the crash. The collision prompt

B.C. premier calls for stronger AI chatbot reporting requirements in federal online harms bill

B.C. premier calls for stronger AI chatbot reporting requirements in federal online harms bill

British Columbia Premier David Eby says the federal government's proposed online harms legislation does not go far enough in addressing risks associated with artificial intelligence chatbots. Eby criticized the bill for not requiring technology companies to report dangerous or suspicious user activity to police. He said companies should be obligated to notify law enforcement if a user is believed to be using an AI chatbot to plan a violent crime. The premier pointed to the Tumbler Ridge mass shooting, stating that the suspect's chatbot account had been flagged before the attack. According to E

Legals

Journalism code of ethics

© 2021 AKASH Broadcasting Inc.

MANAGED BY STRATWIT

useful links

Accessibility Plan

Broadcasting Notice of Consultation

BC Children's Hospital