More than 90 per cent of B.C. care homes aren’t funded to meet the government’s own minimum staffing guidelines. That’s an appalling situation that deprives residents of the care they deserve. And it means that care aides are injured more than any other group of workers in any labour sector. With an election around the corner, the BC Liberals have promised more staff. But the situation we face today has been 16 years in the making. And they’ve taken no action to address repeated contracting out and contract-flipping, which undermines continuity of care for residents and robs workers of their livelihood. We can do better for B.C. seniors, and the workers who care for them, by electing a government who will protect workers from contracting out, and ensure there’s enough staff to deliver safe, quality care.

For nearly 16 years, the BC Liberals have put corporations and their wealthy friends first, while life becomes unaffordable for too many British Columbians. Right from the start, the BC Liberals – under Gordon Campbell – began to privatize health care services and infrastructure. And it hasn’t stopped under Christy Clark. Since 2001, thousands of HEU members have lost their jobs in hospitals and care homes, with the privatization of housekeeping, dietary, laundry, bedside care, security, medical transcription, and other services. While corporations benefit, workers are forced to get by with lower wages, fewer benefits and no pensions. We can do better for B.C. patients and workers by protecting public health care, and other services, from contracting out. We can ensure public services serve the public good, not private profit.

For nearly 16 years, the BC Liberals have put corporations and their wealthy friends first, while life becomes unaffordable for too many British Columbians. Right from the start, the BC Liberals – under Gordon Campbell – began to privatize health care services and infrastructure. And it hasn’t stopped under Christy Clark. Since 2001, thousands of HEU members have lost their jobs in hospitals and care homes, with the privatization of housekeeping, dietary, laundry, bedside care, security, medical transcription, and other services. While corporations benefit, workers are forced to get by with lower wages, fewer benefits and no pensions. We can do better for B.C. patients and workers by protecting public health care, and other services, from contracting out. We can ensure public services serve the public good, not private profit.

We can vote for better health care, with decent jobs and improved services to patients. We can vote for better seniors’ care, where the elderly receive dignified care delivered safely by their care providers. We can vote for strong, sustainable communities, where young families have access to affordable child care, and where the minimum wage is not a poverty wage.

Voting is a Right

Under the BC Elections Act, voters are entitled to four consecutive hours free from work to cast your vote on May 9. This means there must be a four-hour period, free from work, during voting hours – from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Time off may be at the beginning or end of an employee’s shift. If your normal working hours already provide a four-hour period free from work, then time off to vote is unnecessary. It is an offence if your employer deducts your pay or penalizes you for taking time off to vote. You are entitled to your regular compensation for any hours not worked during this time.

Where to Vote

AT ANY ELECTORAL DISTRICT OFFICE: Voting is available at any district electoral office from April 11 until May 9 at 4:00 p.m. IN ADVANCE POLLS: Advance voting is open from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. (local time) on April 29 and 30, and May 3, 4, 5 and 6. You can vote at any advance voting place in the province. ON ELECTION DAY: Votes can be cast on May 9 at your designated polling place near your residence or at any voting place from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. (local time). Your designated polling place will be listed on the Elections BC voter information card that you’ll receive in the mail. BY MAIL: Voters can ask Elections BC for a vote-by-mail package until 4:00 p.m. on May 9. The completed package must be returned to the district electoral office by 8 p.m. on Election Day, or it will not be counted. For more information go to http://elections.bc.ca/ or call 1.800.661.8683.