Stephanie Smith

"We are pleased to see acknowledgement of many of these issues and a timeline to address funding and staffing, quality of care, and accountability in the sector.” —  Stephanie Smith, BCGEU President

The BCGEU/NUPGE is pleased by Mr. Richard's willingness to continue a working relationship on these vital issues and looks forward to working with him.

"These new statistics prove that now, more than ever, the B.C. government and WCB must address the issue of prison violence. The safety and security of our members — and our communities — is at stake.” — Stephanie Smith, BCGEU President

Vancouver (21 Feb. 2017) — New statistics released by BC Corrections show that prison violence in B.C. continues to rise. Assaults on correctional officers rose by 39 per cent between 2014 and 2015, and the new stats indicate that —based on the halfway point of 2016 — this figure is projected to rise by another 21.5 per cent for 2016. 

"It would be expected that Vancouver’s municipal government, which formally recognizes the scope of the crisis, would put more effort into harm reduction in what is already the most heavily policed neighbourhood in British Columbia.” — Stephanie Smith, BCGEU President

The report's finding are "particularly alarming considering that in Canada, seniors make up the fastest-growing age demographic.” — Stephanie Smith, BCGEU President

“Our members have been saying for years that cuts in funding have forced them to do the same work in less time. They are now expected to care for more patients than ever before, in the same work day.” — Stephanie Smith, BCGEU President

"We will urge her [the Premier] to increase the number of full-time park ranger field staff and lengthen the work season for seasonal rangers, to at least match 2001 funding levels.” — Stephanie Smith, BCGEU President

“We congratulate the B.C. government for taking this important first step to implement the recommendations of the Plecas report." — Stephanie Smith, BCGEU President

"BCGEU/NUPGE and its members are committed to the safety and well-being of children and youth in care, and we intend to work as collaboratively with the new independent representative as we always have with his office.” — Stephanie Smith, BCGEU President

These dedicated workers want improved working conditions to help them better advocate for children and families." — Stephanie Smith, BCGEU President

Sign the BCGEU/NUPGE petition to Premier Christy Clark about increasing danger and violence inside B.C. prisons.

"On behalf of all BCGEU/NUPGE members, I’d like to thank Mary Ellen for her service and the legacy of passion and commitment to our province’s most vulnerable that she leaves behind." — Stephanie Smith, BCGEU President

“Improving workload through collective bargaining will allow these workers to better support their communities and ensure that no one slips through the cracks.” — Stephanie Smith, BCGEU President

"Because when you improve your working conditions, you will be improving the services that you provide to children and families...and we all know that's what this rally is all about." — Stephanie Smith, BCGEU President

"This facility has an atrocious record when it comes to violent incidents and refusing to address the causes is completely unacceptable.” — Stephanie Smith, BCGEU President

“By its very nature, fighting forest fires is seasonal work. That should not mean the men and women who work so hard to protect our province should be denied benefits.” — Stephanie Smith, BCGEU President

The alliance intends to offer advice to policymakers on the safe and effective distribution and sale of recreational marijuana, recommending liquor stores as the model best suited for retailing purposes.

"The Representative for Children and Youth has identified a lack of timely access to mental health services, a lack of proper assessment, miscommunication and a lack of coordination between services providers. These are all problems that are within the government’s ability to remedy if they have the will to act.” — Stephanie Smith, BCGEU President

The BCGEU is urging British Columbians to join them in ensuring alcohol is sold responsibly in communities by visiting the site Reconsider Grocery Store Liquor Sales (link is external) and sign up to be notified when the issue comes to your council.

Further cuts result in just a handful of rangers overseeing an area the size of Denmark, Costa Rica and Switzerland combined.