November 13, 2008
Government told officials not to enforce laws against health user fees
Documents obtained by nurses under FOI reveal government policy has been to ask offending doctors and clinics to refund patients, but to take no action if they refuse More...

November 12, 2008
Defending public healthcare?
Government documents to reveal shocking refusal to protect patients from illegal health fees More...

November 5, 2008
Nurses challenge VIHA CEO to show leadership, accept responsibility
In yet another PR disaster, the health authority is forced to "apologize for an apology" for citing a new manager for a decision to cancel urgent surgeries More...

November 4, 2008
Nurses support provincial Ombudsman's investigation into seniors' healthcare
The British Columbia Nurses' Union is encouraging nurses and other health professionals to assist the BC Ombudsman in the province-wide investigation into healthcare for senior citizens. More...

November 1, 2008
Surrey Memorial Hospital orders microwaves, toasters removed from lounges, nursing units
Nurses at Surrey Memorial Hospital are outraged they've been ordered to remove all “cooking appliances” including microwaves and toasters More...

October 21, 2008
Nurses welcome new patient care review boards, but wonder if they'll get resources to do an effective job
Nurses support any initiative that gives patients and their care-givers an opportunity to expose deficiencies in the delivery of healthcare and advocate change. More...

October 17, 2008
Nurses thank BC Automobile Association for rejecting for-profit privatized health insurance
The BC Nurses' Union has sent a letter to the President and CEO of the BC Automobile Association (BCAA), Mr. Bill Bullis. More...

October 3, 2008
For-profit private health care under fire in new report from Canada's nurses
There is no evidence to support claims that increasing for-profit private elements in Canadian health care will improve care or reduce cost, according to a new report released on the eve of a National Day of Action for Medicare. More...

October 1, 2008
BCAA push for private insurance undermines medicare
BC Health Coalition calls on British Columbians to reject BCAA queue jumping insurance and demand government action to enforce health care legislation. More...

August 29, 2008
Nurses join Labour Day rally to send a message to BC government
Increasing gap between rich and poor and taxing people before profits is bad for our health More...

August 25, 2008
Residents of Cowichan Lodge still waiting to be consulted
Community meeting to hear evidence and impact on residents of VIHA's attempted quick closure of Cowichan Lodge More...

August 20, 2008
Cowichan Lodge closure: VIHA retreats on short notice, but damage to seniors' health has already been done
Nurses say the only way to restore public confidence in the health authority is to rescind immediately the plan to close the Lodge and other Island public long term care beds More...

August 18, 2008
Cowichan Lodge: nurses are incensed the government's licensing director wants VIHA to investigate itself
Amid reports of residents' failing health and deaths, the BC Nurses' Union says the order must be reversed because the health authority is biased to support its own decisions More...

August 15, 2008
Families' lawyer calls for halt to transfers from Cowichan Lodge
Reports of deaths and residents' failing health because of VIHA's rush to close Lodge must be investigated More...

August 1, 2008
VIHA commits to holding 70 beds for Cowichan residents until appeals concluded
BCNU says VIHA's decision to halt pressured transfers is morally correct decision. BCNU was relieved to learn through recent media More...

July 30, 2008
BC Nurses call on VIHA to respect Appeal Board's stay decision
BCNU calls on the Vancouver Island Health Authority (VIHA) to honour their July 25th commitment to hold 70 beds at Sunridge Place in reserve for residents of Cowichan Lodge. More...

July 29, 2008
Nurses join Island Health Coalitions' rally supporting public seniors' care
Nurses from Vancouver Island and the Lower Mainland will join the Island Health Coalitions' Rally to "Keep Cowichan Lodge Open". More...

July 24, 2008
BCNU and other unions file charter challenge against election gag law
Bill 42 violates freedoms of association and expression. Lawyers representing seven BC unions filed documents and launched a legal challenge against Bill 42. More...

June 24, 2008
"BETRAYAL FOR THE COMMUNITY" Nurses appalled at VIHA scheme to close long term care beds
Nurses are appalled the Vancouver Island Health Authority — despite long waiting lists — is closing public nursing home beds, and forcing current residents to move into new facilities built and owned by private for-profit businesses. More...

June 23, 2008
Nursing shortage will get worse unless retention strategies are pursued
Healthcare crisis looms unless the provincial government and its health authorities improve nurses' working conditions More...

May 29, 2008
BC Nurses disappointed with Harper Government's appeal of InSite ruling
Conservatives should drop moralistic policies on addiction and support successful health interventions More...

May 28, 2008
Nurses welcome court ruling keeping InSite open
BC Nurses' Union calls on Ottawa to accept decision and amend drug laws More...

May 12, 2008
Nurses celebrate Nursing Week
Activities include a postcard campaign to the Premier, a professional nursing conference, and radio ads More...

May 9, 2008
Nurses say InSite clinic services must continue
Stephen Harper must stop playing politics with essential healthcare and with people's lives More...

May 8, 2008
Media Advisory - Nurses speak out for InSite clinic
Nurses who strongly support the health service and harm reduction approach to care provided at Vancouver's InSite clinic will be speaking out for the continuation of those services Friday May 9th, at the clinic. More...

May 8, 2008
Nurses condemn closure of psych unit at West Coast General Hospital
The VIHA decision – made with virtually no notice – will exacerbate psychiatric bed shortages throughout the Island and violates agreement to consult staff More...

March 18, 2008
Illegal medicare billing: Nurses win significant victory in case against provincial government
In a 27-page judgement, the BC Supreme Court refuses the Attorney-General's application to dismiss the BC Nurses' Union legal action More...

February 27, 2008
Nurses say federal budget ignores critical programs
The Conservative government has tossed aside its chance to improve the health and well-being of Canadians More...

February 22, 2008 - Media Advisory
POWER TO LEAD
Nurses' Union Convention begins Monday February 25
Delegates will focus on the battle against overcapacity and overcrowding, and how nurses are fighting for public health care More...

February 19, 2008
Nurses are concerned "green" budget signals more red lights for patients
While welcoming increased health spending and commitment to nursing education, the boost to health authorities falls well short of what's needed to make up for past underfunding More...

February 15, 2008
Hospital overcrowding: Nurses call on Victoria to reverse the budgetary policies that forced the closure of beds and facilities
Royal Columbian and other hospitals need more resources, not a new financing scheme that would put a dollar sign on patients. More...

February 12, 2008
Throne Speech: Nurses welcome commitment to streamlined degree, question continued push for schemes like tax shelters to fund seniors care
Nurses are pleased the provincial government has accepted some of the solutions it received during its Conversation on Health to address the shortage of health care providers. More...

February 8, 2008 - BC Health Coalition News Release
Copeman Clinic: Health Coalition Calls on Health Minister to overturn Medical Services Commission decision
Letter to George Abbott demands the government release the details of the Copeman investigation that concluded the centre is not violating medicare laws even though it requires patients to pay large fees to receive its services More...

February 7, 2008
Nurses are struggling to cope with the woeful deficiencies in mental health services documented by the VPD
Nurses throughout the health care system are plagued by the same woeful deficiencies in services for the mentally ill that were documented this week in a report by the Vancouver Police Department. More...

January 31, 2008
BC Nurses' Union Debra McPherson re-elected by acclamation
Debra McPherson has been re-elected by acclamation for another two-year term as president of the BC Nurses' Union. More...

January 30, 2008
Government announces plan to repeal sections of Bill 29 declared unconstitutional by Supreme Court
The provincial government plans to repeal the three sections of its contract-breaking Bill 29 More...

January 28 , 2008
Nurses resolve Bill 29 dispute with government and employers
Agreement involves compensation, education, adjustment options for displaced nurses, potential recognition of lost seniority More...