2025 Federal Election

Nurses Across Canada are ‘All In’ for Public Health Care

The BC Nurses’ Union and other members of the Canadian Federation of Nurses Unions (CFNU) are calling on leaders and candidates from all political parties to protect and strengthen universal public health care ahead of the Apr. 28 federal election.

The CFNU’s All In for Public Health Care campaign highlights nurses’ key priorities that aim to improve working conditions for nurses and the quality of care for their patients. These include the nurse staffing shortage, health care privatization that places profit over care, unsafe long-term care and barriers to affordable care.

The campaign includes advertising on billboards and radio stations across BC calling on all parties to make public health care a priority.

BCNU Is ‘All In’

The campaign encourages BCNU members and the public to take action to pressure all political parties to make meaningful investments in public health care. By clicking the button below, members can write a letter to the party leaders, record a video and share the campaign.

TAKE ACTION NOW

It’s Your Right to Vote

Members under the NBA collective agreement who are eligible to vote in the election are entitled, under Article 36, to four consecutive hours free from work during the hours the polls are open on election day to cast their vote, with no loss of salary. The Employer may select the time of day at its convenience.

For example:

• An employee scheduled to work 0700 – 1500 or 1500 – 2300, in the Pacific time zone where polls are open 0700 – 1900, would not be eligible for paid leave as they would have more than four consecutive hours “free from work” after 1500 or before 1500 hours. An employee scheduled to work 0700-1900 would need four hours of paid leave as leaving at 1500 would give them the four consecutive hours free from work.
• An employee who works 0700 – 1900, in the Mountain time zone where polls are open 0730 – 1930, would only need three-and-a-half hours of paid leave from work as leaving at 1530 would give them the 4 consecutive hours “free from work” before the polls close.

Note that the Employer has the option of releasing employees mid-shift for their time off to vote. It is up to the Employer to ensure the appropriate relief staff are called in to allow employees to vote. Members covered under collective agreements other than the NBA agreement are still entitled to at least three consecutive hours off work to vote. Find more details on the Elections Canada website.