MAPLE RIDGE– New Democrat MLAs Lisa Beare and Bob D’Eith say more people accessing health care in the Lower Mainland will benefit from better patient care as 474 housekeeping services workers, who were previously contracted out, return as Fraser Health employees. This comes after almost 20 years of these workers having their services contracted out to private companies.

“When workers are treated fairly and receive fair pay, they, their families, their communities, and their patients all benefit. Bringing housekeeping workers back in-house as Fraser Health employees is a big step to creating a better health care system for everyone in B.C,” said Lisa Beare, MLA for Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows.

Health authorities and Providence Health Care continue to repatriate workers under Bill 47, bringing an estimated 4,000 workers back into the public system. In July 2022, a further 474 housekeeping services workers will be repatriated to 18 Fraser Health sites, including 65 workers at Ridge Meadows Hospital and Baillie House.

“Implementing Bill 47 ensures that health care services workers – many of whom are women and people of colour – are treated fairly and with the respect they deserve. I’m pleased to see that Fraser Health is repatriating hundreds of workers, helping better our health care system and making a stronger B.C. for everyone,” said Bob D’Eith, MLA for Maple Ridge-Mission.

To address inequality and enhance working conditions for employees in health-care facilities, government is ensuring that workers have the benefits, wages and working conditions that they deserve to be able to help patients.

Evidence has shown that employees who feel secure and safe in their jobs provide higher-quality care for people, and in turn, employers can attract and retain staff at a higher and more consistent level.

Work to bring healthcare service workers back into the public system began in 2019, when the BC New Democrat government brought Bill 47 (Health Sector Statutes Repeal Act) into force. Bill 47 repealed the Health and Social Services Delivery Improvement Act (Bill 29) and the Health Sector Partnerships Agreement Act (Bill 94), legislated by the former BC Liberal government, which facilitated contracting out in the health sector and caused significant labour impacts.

Learn More: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2022HLTH0163-001103

Learn more about Bill 47: https://archive.news.gov.bc.ca/releases/news_releases_2017-2021/2018HLTH0102-002147.htm