Submission to the WCB Regarding Proposed Policy Workplans for 2027-29

The BCFED appreciates the opportunity to provide our submission with respect to the WCB’s proposed Policy Workplans for 2027-29. This submission was drafted in consultation with our affiliated unions and advocacy community. Download the full submission (PDF)

The tariff response and worker relief measures announced today by the federal government represents a solid start, but workers will need much more comprehensive support and relief, BC Federation of Labour President Sussanne Skidmore said today. “The EI provisions Prime Minister Carney announced today mostly just extend temporary measures already in place. The benefits are often inadequate, and far

BCFED President Sussanne Skidmore today released the following statement: As we all grapple with the news that our economy is once again the target of Donald Trump's brutal, unjustified tariff assault, there's one question that should guide our tariff response: What does this mean for working people here in BC? Because the impacts are going to land on working people, and they'll land hard. They'll

The BCFED appreciates the opportunity to provide our recommendations regarding the proposed amendments to the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation, Part 5, Occupational Exposure Limits, Benzene. A component of crude oil, benzene is an aromatic hydrocarbon widely used as a raw material in the production of many different products. It is also a component of wood, gasoline and tobacco smoke. Workers and the general public are exposed to benzene in a large number of workplaces as well as environmentally through motor vehicle emissions, wildfire and cigarette smoke, and gas stations also produce benzene.

The BC Federation of Labour (“BCFED” “Federation”) appreciates the opportunity to provide our recommendations with respect to the proposed amendments to the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation (“OHSR” “Regulation”) Part 20 related to shotcrete. Shotcreting requires significant skill and experience and is extremely hazardous work. There is a pressing need for better planning, supervision, training and accountability for worker safety. It is critical to implement additional regulatory requirements to prevent serious injuries, illness and fatalities going forward.

Working people in British Columbia have lost one of our greatest champions. Stephanie Smith served as president of the BCGEU and an Executive Officer of the BCFED from 2014 to 2024.

Today, the BC government took a big step toward safer construction workplaces by expanding skilled trades certification to cover mobile and tower crane operators. They're reversing the disastrous 2003 move by the BC Liberals (now effectively the BC Conservatives) scrapping trades certification. Restoring the requirement for stringent safety and skills training will go a long way to addressing

The new Canada-British Columbia Cooperative Prosperity Agreement announced this morning by Prime Minister Mark Carney and BC Premier David Eby is the kind of good news BC workers have been waiting for, the BCFED said today. “This is exactly what we’ve needed for a long time: a major investment in creating good union jobs, along with skills training and real support for affordable childcare,” said

This is the beginning of one of our favourite times of the year: Pride. It’s a season to celebrate our 2SLGBTQIA+ members, family, friends and neighbours: the contributions they make to our movement and our lives, and their enduring, invaluable presence in our community. We celebrate even as we protest, finding joy in our unity and solidarity against discrimination, fear, hate and violence

It was one year ago Sunday evening that tragedy struck the Lapu-Lapu Day block party in Vancouver. We share the grief and loss felt by the Filipino community and everyone who was affected by that terrible attack. This is a difficult anniversary, and our hearts go out to everyone reliving painful memories of that event. That includes the first responders, frontline workers, community workers and