British Columbia Federation of Labour

Privatization - eight years of backroom deals

Gordon Campbell has unleashed an extensive program of privatization including the delivery of health care services, government information technology and other important public services.

His government has also entered into long-term deals in many parts of the province. Details of these taxpayer funded privatization deals are almost always hidden from the public.

Employment Standards - eight years of neglect

In addition to ending the requirement that employers post workers’ rights in the workplace, the provincial government eliminated the traditional complaints-based process and replaced it with an employee “self-help kit.”

While the government claims statistics show their new regime is working, independent studies and anecdotal evidence indicate workers are simply less aware of their rights and the “self-help kit” simply deters workers from filing complaints.

Healthcare - eight years of broken promises

When Gordon Campbell and the Liberals were first elected to government in 2001, health care spending in BC (as a percentage of GDP) was 2nd highest amongst Canadian provinces. Today BC has dropped to 7th place.

400,000 residents of BC don’t have a family doctor. The shortfall of family doctors is getting worse not better. The Campbell government broke its promise to build 5,000 new not-for-profit long-term residential care beds by 2006.

Women’s Rights - eight years of cuts and neglect

Under Campbell, government funding is no longer available to women’s advocates and the Ministry of Women’s Equality has been eliminated. There are only 17 women in BC’s 79 member legislature and only 5 women in Campbell’s 23 member Cabinet.

His government has dismantled reporting bodies and eliminated mandates to report on gender and other forms of equity, and women now constitute two-thirds of all British Columbians earning the minimum wage.