BCNU's Annual Convention Kicks Off with Show of Support From National Nurse Leaders

In its first in-person convention since the beginning of the pandemic, the BC Nurses' Union welcomed hundreds of nurses from across the province, as well as nursing union leaders from across the country.

The three-day convention in downtown Vancouver officially got underway this morning, with a key focus on union business and priorities for the months to come.

BCNU provided a special welcome to Linda Silas, president of the Canadian Federation of Nurses Unions (CFNU), who formally announced that BCNU will be joining CFNU – a move that's anticipated to strengthen nurses' voices in BC, and across the country.

"We know that when we come together, nurses' voices are louder and stronger," says BCNU president Aman Grewal. "The issues impacting nurses in BC are the same across the country and we look forward to tackling these challenges head on with our nursing colleagues from coast to coast."

CFNU and BCNU attended meetings at the Council of Federation in July where they sat down with premiers to discuss nurse-specific challenges and the health care crisis. The collaboration between unions is expected to strengthen the pan-Canadian fight for nurses' rights and improved working conditions.

"Strength in unity is what nurses' unions have always believed in and worked towards," said Silas. "On behalf of CFNU's national executive board and our 200,000 members, it is my biggest honour to welcome BCNU into our proud Federation. We have a lot of work to do on behalf of Canada's nurses and our successes will be reinforced by our solidarity."

Both Grewal and Silas will address the delegation at a lunch-time rally on Friday, Nov. 4 at the Vancouver Art Gallery.

"We are looking forward to working together in the coming months to elevate nurses' voices both at the provincial and federal level," says Grewal. "It's important that we bring a collective voice to the table when it comes to improving working conditions for nurses."

To set up an interview, please contact BCNU's Communications Department at media@bcnu.org.