Dear John (from Langford),
We want to deeply thank you for the legislative work you focused on to improve conditions for workers throughout British Columbia. Your time, energy, and devotion to making working-class lives better is unrivalled by any who have served as premier before you.
You have truly been the people’s premier.
We thank you for the changes to the Medical Services Plan, taking the responsibility of paying medical bills off workers’ backs, which was never the intent envisioned with universal health care. It was the heartfelt and financially responsible position to take, which resulted in putting more money into workers’ pockets, helping to stimulate the economy. This single move helped provide more money for working families to spend in small and medium businesses.
We thank you for sidelining the politics on the COVID-19 file trusting the subject matter experts from the medical community. Our provincial health officer, Dr. Bonnie Henry. served as a mental and emotional soothing force of nature that put the health and safety of British Columbians first. While other provinces and nations floundered, we flourished, and we served as a beacon of hope by putting our faith in science.
Thanks for providing five days of sick pay for all British Columbia’s workers. It took a global pandemic and risks borne by essential workers who went to work every day not knowing the health impact COVID would have on them and their families to highlight the importance of paid sick leave for workers. This is an incredible benefit, especially for those who work in the private industry.
Thank you for re-establishing the Skilled Trades BC and Compulsory Certification, ensuring workers receive formal education and training required to build roads, hospitals, schools, and housing. This gives British Columbians confidence that their community infrastructure and homes are built to the highest standard. Thank you for asbestos abatement credentialling of workers and licensing of employers. Asbestos has inflicted more pain and suffering on trades workers than any other workplace product or illness. Making our workplaces safer is the best response to a centuries-old problem that has caused unnecessary heartbreak for countless British Columbians. Thank you for introducing Community Benefit Agreements, putting local trades to work on public projects in their own backyards, allowing for shorter commutes to work, and creating more time to spend with their families.
Thank you for making the environment a major priority of government by signing onto the multi-platform CleanBC Initiative and deciding on the continuation of site C Dam construction, providing cheap renewable power for generations to come; and for realizing that LNG is a resource that B.C. is rich in, and that will help develop our wealth to become an economic powerhouse to position B.C. for the next best environmental change for the planet.
Thank you for making changes to the BC Employment Standards Act, building the foundation of the basement floor, not allowing employers to pay less than the minimum as established by the ESA. Thank you for bringing forward positive Labour Code changes allowing workers an easier pathway to joining a union of their choice. Thank you for introducing $10 daycare, increasing the minimum wage, and so much more.
We will forever be thankful for your years of genuine passion, dedication, and contributions towards building a better B.C.
Phil Venoit
International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers
Victoria
