Nurses' Votes Count!

You may only cast a single ballot, but your vote together with those of other nurses could decide the outcome in many communities across British Columbia.

For example in the constituencies of Vancouver Fraserview, Surrey Cloverdale, and Kamloops-South Thompson, the number of BCNU nurses is nearly 900 strong and is a force to be reckoned with. Surrey Cloverdale was an extremely close race in 2013, with winner Peter Fassbender (Liberal) besting runner-up Jagrup Brar (NDP) by a mere 200 votes. In a race that's tight, nurses voting for a clear commitment to fix Surrey Memorial's ER gridlock could in fact decide the outcome.

As the most numerous group among the health professions, nurses make up large blocks of voters in many of BC's eighty-seven constituencies. How nurses choose to vote can directly affect the outcomes, especially in close races.

In Saanich North and the Islands, where Gary Holman (New Democrat) won by just 163 votes in a tight three-way race, the over 600 nurses residing there could definitely determine who wins on May 9.

In Coquitlam-Maillardville, where Selina Robinson (New Democrat) won by the slim margin of 41 votes, there are over 500 nurses who get to cast ballots. In Delta North, where Scott Hamilton (Liberal) won by just 203 votes, the nearly 600 nurses could decide the outcome.

Nurses have a direct stake in how health care is staffed and delivered, wherever they work. Safe staffing, quality patient care, better mental health care, and a violence-free workplace are all key priorities to evaluate your local candidates and party platforms against.

BCNU has circulated questions on these and other topics to all major parties and we will publish the parties responses, to help you in sort through the choices that affect our public health care system.

Your vote on May 9 does count. Put together with those of other nurses, it will make a real difference.

2017 Provincial General Election - BC Nurses Say: safe care for all