2019 Federal Election

BCNU is calling for tougher sentences for criminal assaults against health care workers and supports the amendment of the Criminal Code, Section 269.01(1).

BCNU is seeking targeted federal funding to enhance protections for health care workers through violence-prevention programs and infrastructure.

BCNU is calling for a national seniors strategy to improve care and support for Canada's aging population. By the year 2031, nearly one-in-four people in BC will be over the age of 65. A national seniors' strategy is needed to help address:

• The need for skilled health care workers to care for this fast-growing population.
• Understaffing in long term care facilities is a significant concern.
• The lack of affordable and inclusive housing options for seniors. Many seniors live in poverty and struggle to cover their monthly expenses.
• The safe and fair treatment of seniors who are at increased risk of abuse (e.g. verbal, phsycial, pyschological, neglect).

BCNU is calling for a national drug (Pharmacare) plan that would give all Canadians access to the medicine they need. The current public-private system is inefficient, resulting in sicker Canadians and wasted health-care dollars.

The benefits of a national drug plan is well documented in the Canadian Health Coalition's (CHC) latest research paper "The Economic Case for Universal Public Pharmacare."

BCNU supports CHC's finding that a national drug plan would increase the country's overall productivity, save households and employers money and reduce the burden on the health care system by ensuring people don't go without treatment.

BCNU would like to see greater utilization of nurses to full scope, including prescribing, discharging and coordination of care for chronically ill patients. This will relieve the burden for General Practitioners/Nurse Practitioners with less time to provide one-to-one care.

BC continues to experience one of the worst overdose crises in the country despite being the province with the most progressive harm reduction policies and practices including the Take Home Naloxone program and supervised injection sites.

BCNU supports growing demands to decriminalize people who possess controlled substances for personal use.

The health of our planet directly impacts human health and the work of nurses and health care providers. Policies and legislation are needed to protect and improve the health of our planet.

BCNU believes that the health-care system for First Nations, Inuit and Métis people can be greatly improved upon to ensure the system is meeting their needs and is free from lingering stigmas.