Diana Gibson, Minister of Jobs, Economic Development and Innovation, has issued the following statement on the release of Statistics Canada’s Labour Force Survey for April 2025:

“Through global volatility and shifting economic winds, B.C. is holding steady – growing an economy that works for people, protecting what matters and building a cleaner, more secure future. B.C. stands with Team Canada and all the workers across the country who have been affected by this unnecessary trade war.

“Today’s Labour Force Survey data for April shows that B.C. held steady with a small gain of 6,000 jobs, compared to last month. So far this year, B.C. has gained 51,300 full-time jobs, the highest increase among provinces.

“In April, private-sector employment increased by 1,600 and self-employment increased by 2,800. Since July 2017, B.C. has gained 174,400 private-sector jobs, and so far this year, we have the second-highest increase in private-sector employment across the country at 5,800 jobs.

“Youth employment in B.C. increased in April by 8,400 jobs, which is the largest gain among provinces. And B.C. continues to lead the country with an average hourly wage of $38.24, with our average wage up 4.8% compared to this time last year, the second-highest growth among provinces.

“Our unemployment rate is 6.2%, one of the lowest in Canada and below the national average of 6.9%.

“The data shows that in April, B.C. had employment increases of 1,800 jobs in the manufacturing sector, which continues to show strong and steady growth overall with gains of 11,300 so far this year.

“As tourism season begins, we are seeing people choosing to vacation locally and not travel to the United States. Many British Columbians are stepping up by supporting local restaurants, vacationing in B.C. and choosing locally made products. These everyday choices are a powerful show of support for workers, small businesses and communities throughout our province.

“B.C. also introduced legislation to ensure the Province can act quickly to break down interprovincial trade barriers and prioritize the purchase of Canadian goods. We have been a leader in reducing interprovincial trade barriers even prior to the tariff threat, advocating for a mutual recognition agreement and one of the provinces with the least exceptions. The commitment is to have a mutual recognition agreement soon that will cover thousands of goods sold or used in Canada.

“The Province has also introduced legislation to deliver more schools, hospitals and other infrastructure, which will create more jobs and support our growing communities. This legislation is part of work underway across government to deliver projects faster, reduce overall permitting times and strengthen B.C.’s economy through uncertain times.

“We will continue to protect services and defend people’s jobs and the economy. Growing a stronger and more diverse economy will help protect people in B.C. from instability outside our borders, with investments that will bring good-paying jobs to the province as part of robust and sustainable industries.”

Niki Sharma, Attorney General, has released the following statement marking Jewish Heritage Month:

“As Jewish communities around the world conclude Passover celebrations, we in British Columbia enter May proudly recognizing and celebrating Jewish Heritage Month, a time to honour the rich history, culture and contributions of Jewish people to our province.

“Since the late 1800s, Jewish Canadians have played an integral role in B.C.’s vibrancy and growth, from David Oppenheimer, the mayor of Vancouver when Stanley Park opened, to Lumley Franklin, who successfully oversaw the effort to link B.C. to England via telegraph. Today, we are proud that our province is home to one of the fastest-growing Jewish populations in all of Canada.

“As we celebrate Jewish Heritage Month, we must confront the alarming rise of antisemitism in B.C. and around the world. For several years now, too many Jewish people in B.C. have reported an upsurge in both hate crimes and hateful sentiment targeting them. This has only worsened and is unacceptable. Every incident of hate is a stark reminder of the work that still lies ahead of us as we try to build a more understanding and accepting province.

“This May, let us not only celebrate the achievements and resilience of Jewish people in British Columbia, but also reaffirm our commitment to standing against antisemitism.

“By learning from the past and embracing diversity, we strengthen the bonds that unite us as one community made up of many communities. Together, let us mark Jewish Heritage Month with reflection and resolve.”

Major infrastructure projects will be built faster in B.C. as the Province aims to speed up permitting and approvals through new legislation.

“At a time of uncertainty caused by Donald Trump’s tariffs, it’s more important than ever that we create more good-paying jobs by delivering the critical infrastructure projects people need – faster,” said Premier David Eby. “We are building a record number of new schools, hospitals and major transportation projects across B.C., but too many others face unnecessary and costly delays. This legislation is designed to speed up permitting and approvals to get shovels in the ground more quickly on priority projects.”

On Thursday, May 1, 2025, government tabled the infrastructure projects act to deliver key infrastructure projects that deliver the schools, hospitals and other core services people rely on quicker, as well as provincially significant projects delivered by the private sector that are needed to drive economic growth. During the past eight years, the Province has embarked on the largest, most ambitious capital plan in B.C. history to build the schools, hospitals, student housing and other infrastructure that growing communities need.

In the past few years, B.C. has welcomed an extraordinary number of people, underscoring the need to reduce delays for urgently needed projects. This legislation is part of work underway across government to deliver projects faster, protect the public services people rely on and strengthen B.C.’s economy through uncertain times.

“We created the Ministry of Infrastructure to streamline delivery of provincial capital projects and ensure faster delivery of cost-effective, high-quality generational investments for people in B.C.,” said Bowinn Ma, Minister of Infrastructure. “This legislation is the next step forward. As we work to deliver projects faster, this gives us the tools to accelerate key projects and help strengthen our province, while maintaining our commitments to advancing reconciliation and protecting the environment.”

If passed, the infrastructure projects act will support the work of the ministry by:

• speeding up approvals for priority provincial infrastructure projects, such as schools and hospitals. The act can also help speed up approvals for other projects designated as provincially significant, including those delivered by other partners;
• prioritizing and accelerating provincial permitting for provincial and other designated projects, including developing a qualified professionals reliance framework;
• allowing an expedited environmental assessment process so designated projects can be reviewed more quickly without compromising B.C.’s high environmental standards;
• establishing a framework for alternative permit authorizations, through an agreement-seeking approach with local governments, to get shovels in the ground faster for provincial and other designated projects;
• putting the authority of the new ministry into law so it can carry out its roles and responsibilities, such as policy development, project planning and prioritization, land acquisition, and procurement for vertical provincial projects;
• enabling the ministry to work with school districts, health authorities and post-secondary institutions to deliver some projects on their behalf. This will allow government to group multiple projects into a single procurement or allow government to purchase project components for multiple projects at a single time; and
• working collaboratively with schools, health authorities and post-secondary institutions will ensure projects are delivered efficiently and cost-effectively.

In addition to provincial infrastructure projects, such as schools and hospitals, the legislation could streamline approvals for a limited number of other provincially significant projects that are delivered by other partners, such as Crown corporations, local governments, First Nations, and private proponents.

To be designated as provincially significant, a project would need to create significant economic, social or environmental benefits for people in B.C. and significantly contribute to provincial priorities such as food security, critical mineral supply, replacement of U.S. imports and disaster recovery. Criteria for the designation of projects of provincial significance will be released in the coming weeks.

All designated projects under the legislation will be required to uphold government’s commitment to the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act.

People in Victoria will soon have access to nearly 300 new homes as construction begins on two developments that offer affordable rental and supportive housing.

“We know that different people have different housing needs, and we’re working on every front to help everyone find a place to call home,” said Ravi Kahlon, Minister of Housing and Municipal Affairs. “During a time of economic uncertainty, these homes will lower rental costs for working people and families while bringing people sheltering outside indoors so they can have stability, dignity and support they need to move forward.”

To help families and individuals, including those at risk of or experiencing homelessness, a provincial investment of nearly $100 million is funding the construction of 295 new homes across two separate developments on Pandora Avenue and Discovery Street.

This includes a new 21-storey building at 926/930 Pandora Ave., replacing the existing vacant structures with 158 affordable rental homes, 47 supportive homes and a community space expected to include child care services.

Construction will begin soon, with the homes expected to be completed by spring 2029. The Capital Region Housing Corporation (CRHC) will manage the affordable rental homes, and an experienced non-profit operator will oversee the supportive housing.

“These new homes will provide families and individuals with a place to call home, in their communities and close to their jobs and their support systems,” said Nina Krieger, MLA for Victoria-Swan Lake. “By offering a mix of affordable and supportive housing, we’re helping ensure that everyone can find stability, comfort and a sense of belonging in Victoria.”

Additionally, construction is set to start in May on 90 new supportive homes at 726 Discovery St. for people experiencing or at risk of homelessness. The eight-storey, steel-frame building will feature 90 studio units, each with a private bathroom.

This project is expected to be completed by mid-2027. Our Place Society will operate the supportive housing at Discovery Street, offering residents daily meals, laundry facilities and a range of 24/7 on-site support services. These will include life-skills training, employment assistance and counselling, as well as access to physical and mental-health care, addiction treatment and recovery services. The building will also feature safety measures such as fenced grounds, a single point of entry, 24/7 staffed reception, security cameras and lighting.

These projects are part of a $19-billion housing investment by the B.C. government. Since 2017, the Province has nearly 92,000 homes that have been delivered or are underway, including more than 4,120 homes in Victoria.

Quotes:

Julian Daly, CEO, Our Place –

“We’re happy to see construction begin on the Discovery Street supportive-housing project, which Our Place Society will be operating. This much-needed resource will provide 90 supportive homes for people in Victoria, offering stability and services to help them thrive. It’s a vital step forward for those we serve and for access to housing in Victoria. The whole community benefits from this.”

Marianne Alto, mayor of Victoria –

“Breaking ground on this project, working with provincial, regional and non-profit partners, is a significant step forward as we address our complex housing crisis. These 295 affordable homes will provide the stability and opportunity needed for more people to build community roots and thrive in Victoria.”

Zac de Vries, chair, Capital Region Housing Corporation –

“Since 2019, with our funding partners, the CRHC has introduced more than 800 new affordable homes to the region, and we won’t stop there. Projects like Pandora show the powerful possibilities of partnership, and the CRHC is excited to get another 158 affordable homes underway in the city of Victoria.”

The Province, in partnership with BC Hydro, is launching an ambitious plan to harness British Columbia’s clean-electricity advantage, driving economic growth and transformative change, strengthening energy security and advancing climate action.

“With this work, we are securing our energy and our economy for the future by expanding one of our greatest assets: abundant clean electricity,” said Premier David Eby. “We are boosting our clean-energy supply, powering our growing communities and industries, and creating thousands of family-supporting jobs – all while advancing reconciliation and reducing pollution. Perhaps most importantly, this will help build a strong foundation for our province and our country at a time of external threats to our sovereignty and prosperity.”

The Clean Power Action Plan is a forward-thinking strategy to leverage B.C.’s clean-electricity advantage, ensuring a resilient and sustainable future for British Columbia. With five transformative initiatives, the plan aims to accelerate economic growth, while securing long-term energy stability for generations to come:

• launching a second call for power to acquire a target of up to 5,000 gigawatt-hours per year of energy from large, clean and renewable projects in partnership with First Nations and independent power producers – enough to power 500,000 new homes. This builds on the success of the 2024 call for power, which resulted in 10 new renewable-energy projects, with First Nations asset ownership between 49% and 51%, capable of powering about 500,000 new homes;
• opening up the opportunity to explore B.C.’s power potential through a request for expressions of interest exploring capacity and firm, baseload electricity projects to deliver for peak demand periods and to provide back-up intermittent energy resources;
• ushering in an expanded era of energy efficiency by partnering with innovators through a request for expressions of interest to deliver market-ready demand-side management technologies that help people and businesses save energy and money;
• investing more than $12 million from the B.C. Innovative Clean Energy (ICE) fund in a targeted three-year call for new, made-in-B.C. clean-energy technologies that will combat climate change and create sustainable jobs; and
• streamlining connections to B.C.’s grid to enable new homes and businesses to access clean electricity faster and less expensively.

“Uncertain times demand bold, decisive action, and we need to respond with urgency and with confidence and turn adversity into opportunity,” said Adrian Dix, Minister of Energy and Climate Solutions. “Our commitment to strengthening energy security and building a resilient electricity system will unlock critical economic opportunities, foster innovation, deepen collaboration with First Nations and reaffirm B.C.’s leadership in climate action.”

These initiatives build on actions underway, including setting BC Hydro rate increases at 3.75% for the next two years to provide stable, affordable rates, while enabling significant investments, offering new optional rates to help residential customers save, and implementing BC Hydro’s $36-billion 10-year capital plan to expand and reinforce electricity infrastructure throughout the province.

Beyond driving economic development and ensuring energy security, the Clean Power Action Plan also supports electrification – the transition from fossil fuels to clean electricity in homes, businesses, industry and transportation, a key pillar of the CleanBC climate strategy.

“Through collaboration with government, First Nations, and the clean-energy sector, BC Hydro is making significant investments and seeking new partnerships to secure B.C.’s clean-energy future,” said Chris O’Riley, president and CEO, BC Hydro. “The initiatives in the Clean Power Action Plan will set the stage for an increased renewable, reliable and resilient energy supply to support our growing province in the years ahead. At the same time, we remain committed to affordability by offering customers more ways to save energy and money, while maintaining stable, predictable rates.”

By taking action today, the Province and BC Hydro are laying the foundation for a cleaner, stronger and more resilient future. Through strategic investments, innovation and collaboration, British Columbia is poised to lead in sustainable-energy development, while driving economic progress. As the Clean Power Action Plan moves forward, it will continue to empower communities, create opportunities and secure the province’s place as a leader in clean energy and climate action.

Quote:

Kwatuuma Cole Sayers, executive director, Clean Energy Association of British Columbia (CEBC) –

“The 2024 call for power was historic, showing what’s possible when First Nations, industry, and government collaborate to deliver clean electricity, drive investment, and advance reconciliation. Today’s announcement builds on that momentum with a second call and plan that prioritizes Indigenous equity, local energy solutions and jobs, and sustainable economic growth. CEBC applauds the Province for its continued leadership and remains committed to building a clean and equitable future for all British Columbians.”

Quick Facts:

• The 10 wind and solar projects selected through BC Hydro’s 2024 call for power will power 500,000 homes and increase electricity supply by 8%.
• These projects represent up to $6 billion in private capital spending throughout the province and will create approximately 2,000 jobs during construction.
• Nearly all the projects have First Nations majority ownership – representing up to $3 billion of asset ownership by First Nations.
• BC Hydro is investing more than $700 million over the next three years in energy-efficiency tools, technology and programs, which is expected to result in 2,000 gigawatt-hours per year of electricity savings, or enough to power 200,000 homes.
• Since 2008, the B.C. Innovative Clean Energy Fund has committed more than $124 million to support pre-commercial clean-energy technology projects, clean-energy vehicles, research and development, and energy-efficiency programs.
• BC Hydro’s residential, commercial and industrial rates are the third lowest in North America (among 22 utilities surveyed in Hydro Quebec’s 2024 Rates Comparison Report).

Government introduced the miscellaneous statutes amendment act, 2025, to the legislative assembly on Tuesday, April 29, 2025.

If passed by the legislature, the amendments will affect the following provincial statutes:

Wildfire Act:

Amendments to the Wildfire Act are proposed to change the limitation period for orders the minister can make against parties who started or contributed to the spread of a wildfire or who contravened the act or wildfire regulation. The amendments will provide more time for an alleged party to understand the evidence against them and a meaningful opportunity to respond. They will also provide additional time for investigations and calculating costs and damages, and for decision-makers to assess the facts before making a determination order (e.g., for parties to pay government’s fire-control costs, the value of damaged or destroyed Crown resources or an administrative penalty).

The amendments will align the limitation period with those in other natural resource statutes, such as the Forest and Range Practices Act.

Local Government Act and An Act to Incorporate the Greater Vancouver Sewerage and Drainage District:

Amendments are proposed to temporarily extend instream protections for development charges from 12 to 24 months for Metro Vancouver Regional District and its Greater Boards (Greater Vancouver Water District and Greater Vancouver Sewerage and Drainage District) for developers that have submitted completed applications prior to March 22, 2024. This is applied retroactively so that the homebuilders who have met the application date above will continue to have access to the lower rates of development charges for an additional year until March 22, 2026.

Housing Supply Act:

Amendments to the Housing Supply Act are proposed to ensure consistency of provincial authority to undertake compliance measures with the City of Vancouver, conforming with all other prescribed municipalities subject to a housing target order.

Local Government Act – Elections amendments:

Amendments to the Local Government Act, Local Elections Campaign Financing Act, School Act and Vancouver Charter are proposed to clarify for local election officials and others the rules concerning elections administration and address barriers to participation by electors and candidates in local elections.

Local elections include elections for municipal councils, regional district electoral areas, boards of education, specified parks boards, local community commissions and the Islands Trust.

Local Government Act – Service Establishment Bylaw exemptions:

An amendment to the Local Government Act is proposed to add an exception to regional district service establishment rules to allow regional districts to establish the service of designating fire inspectors and investigators as required under the new Fire Safety Act.

Local Government Act and Vancouver Charter (clauses 45, 46, 65 and 66):

Amendments are proposed to provide clarity that instream protections extend to site-specific density benefit provisions, and exempt any site-specific density benefits bylaw passed prior to April 25, 2024, from having to comply with the new density benefit bylaw provisions.

Vancouver Charter – City of Vancouver Regulatory Authorities:

Amendments are proposed to clarify that the City of Vancouver can regulate in areas also governed by the Province in the same manner as other municipalities under the Community Charter.

Professional Governance Act:

Amendments are being proposed to clarify a regulation-making power under the Professional Governance Act. The goal is to clarify that the cabinet can make regulations related to job titles.

The act already provides regulation-making power to specify which professional titles are reserved for use by certain professionals. This change would provide clear authority to specify which job titles are not reserved exclusively for certain professionals. A regulation made under this clarified power would ensure that professional regulatory bodies cannot prevent people from using certain job titles set out in the regulation.

Wildlife Act:

Amendments are proposed under the Wildlife Act to enact pull the plug requirements and mandatory stops at open watercraft inspection stations, targeted for the 2025 summer boating season. In addition, the amendments will enable mandatory inspections for watercraft entering B.C. from another jurisdiction prior to launch. This authority will be brought into force through regulations following further analysis and engagement.

The transport of watercraft between waterbodies is the primary high-risk pathway for spreading aquatic invasive species, such as zebra and quagga mussels, and whirling disease. The most effective preventive measure is for boaters to clean, drain and dry all watercraft and equipment after each use, and to pull the plug on all watercrafts being transported between waterbodies. Many other jurisdictions have similar measures in place, including Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba.

The Province is reaffirming its commitment to climate action and affordability as it releases its annual Climate Change Accountability Report.

The report is based on 2022 emissions data and highlights actions completed between April 1, 2023, and March 31, 2024, as well as actions underway or planned for the year ahead. It provides the most up-to-date assessment of British Columbia’s efforts to cut greenhouse gas emissions and build a low-carbon economy.

The 2024 Climate Change Accountability Report concludes that B.C. is making progress in reducing emissions. Since 2007, the base year for B.C.’s climate goals, emissions have remained relatively stable and are projected to decline by 20% by 2030. Emissions per person are down by more than 21% and emissions per unit of GDP are down by more than 30%. This means fewer emissions are being produced for every person and for every dollar of economic growth.

While B.C. is making progress, the reductions are not enough to meet B.C.’s 2030 target. The Province will continue to strengthen its climate action with measures that deliver clean economic growth and create affordable options for people.

“British Columbia has been a leader in demonstrating solutions that have been replicated elsewhere from methane regulations to low-carbon fuel standards,” said Adrian Dix, Minister of Energy and Climate Solutions. “While this progress has been substantial, it has not been enough to be on track to meet the targets. I want British Columbians to know that we will continue to strengthen our efforts to reduce emissions, while ensuring people have more affordable and sustainable options available to them.”

Programs under CleanBC, the government’s climate plan, have helped tens of thousands of households access clean-energy retrofits, supported industrial decarbonization and accelerated the adoption of electric vehicles. In 2023, zero-emission vehicles made up nearly one in four new vehicle sales for an increase of 25% from 2022. Heat pump installations increased by 67% over the previous year, supported by government rebates and expanded access.

To support the shift to a low-carbon future and ensure affordable, reliable energy for the growing population, government is making major investments in expanding access to made-in-B.C. renewable power sources. Ten new wind and solar projects are being accelerated to deliver clean power as soon as possible. The North Coast Transmission Line expansion between Prince George and Terrace will deliver electricity to major industry, such as liquefied natural gas, mining and critical minerals projects, port operations and more, helping power economic growth, while contributing to British Columbia’s energy security.

BC Hydro is investing $36 billion through its 10-year capital plan to expand and strengthen community and regional electrical infrastructure to ensure clean power can be delivered to new homes, businesses and industries when and where they need it. These investments create economic opportunities throughout the province, including an average of 10,000 jobs annually for skilled workers.

A review of CleanBC will be announced soon to assess progress and make recommendations to strengthen B.C.’s climate policies, improve affordability and support a strong economy.

The Province is reaffirming its commitment to climate action and affordability as it releases its annual Climate Change Accountability Report.

The report is based on 2022 emissions data and highlights actions completed between April 1, 2023, and March 31, 2024, as well as actions underway or planned for the year ahead. It provides the most up-to-date assessment of British Columbia’s efforts to cut greenhouse gas emissions and build a low-carbon economy.

The 2024 Climate Change Accountability Report concludes that B.C. is making progress in reducing emissions. Since 2007, the base year for B.C.’s climate goals, emissions have remained relatively stable and are projected to decline by 20% by 2030. Emissions per person are down by more than 21% and emissions per unit of GDP are down by more than 30%. This means fewer emissions are being produced for every person and for every dollar of economic growth.

While B.C. is making progress, the reductions are not enough to meet B.C.’s 2030 target. The Province will continue to strengthen its climate action with measures that deliver clean economic growth and create affordable options for people.

“British Columbia has been a leader in demonstrating solutions that have been replicated elsewhere from methane regulations to low-carbon fuel standards,” said Adrian Dix, Minister of Energy and Climate Solutions. “While this progress has been substantial, it has not been enough to be on track to meet the targets. I want British Columbians to know that we will continue to strengthen our efforts to reduce emissions, while ensuring people have more affordable and sustainable options available to them.”

Programs under CleanBC, the government’s climate plan, have helped tens of thousands of households access clean-energy retrofits, supported industrial decarbonization and accelerated the adoption of electric vehicles. In 2023, zero-emission vehicles made up nearly one in four new vehicle sales for an increase of 25% from 2022. Heat pump installations increased by 67% over the previous year, supported by government rebates and expanded access.

To support the shift to a low-carbon future and ensure affordable, reliable energy for the growing population, government is making major investments in expanding access to made-in-B.C. renewable power sources. Ten new wind and solar projects are being accelerated to deliver clean power as soon as possible. The North Coast Transmission Line expansion between Prince George and Terrace will deliver electricity to major industry, such as liquefied natural gas, mining and critical minerals projects, port operations and more, helping power economic growth, while contributing to British Columbia’s energy security.

BC Hydro is investing $36 billion through its 10-year capital plan to expand and strengthen community and regional electrical infrastructure to ensure clean power can be delivered to new homes, businesses and industries when and where they need it. These investments create economic opportunities throughout the province, including an average of 10,000 jobs annually for skilled workers.

A review of CleanBC will be announced soon to assess progress and make recommendations to strengthen B.C.’s climate policies, improve affordability and support a strong economy.

Changes to the Employment Standards Act will leave health-care providers with more time to spend with patients by eliminating the need for workers to get sick notes for short-term absences from work.

Jennifer Whiteside, Minister of Labour, has introduced Bill 11, amending the Employment Standards Act to help ease the administrative burden on B.C.’s health-care practitioners by clarifying when it is appropriate for employers to request a sick note from workers.

“When you’re sick, the last thing you should have to do is go to your doctor or a medical clinic in order to get a piece of paper saying you’re sick,” Whiteside said. “Not only is that difficult for a sick person to do, but it doesn’t help you get better any faster or prevent the spread of illness.”

Currently, the act allows employers to request “reasonably sufficient proof” that an employee is sick. The changes to the act will clarify employers can’t request, and employees are not required to provide, a sick note written by a physician, nurse practitioner or registered nurse as evidence that the employee’s short-term absence from work was related to illness or injury.

“We’ve heard clearly from doctors around the province that unnecessary paperwork robs them of valuable time to see their patients,” said Josie Osborne, Minister of Health. “Eliminating sick notes for short-term absences is just one of the actions we are taking to cut administrative burden, make our system more efficient, and free up health professionals to focus on what they do best – providing care to British Columbians.”

Regulations will be established following engagement with stakeholders. Regulations will set out how many days is considered a short-term absence, and how often an employee may be absent before their employer can request a formal sick note. While the initial thrust of the regulations will deal with notes from doctors and nurse practitioners, the regulations may also consider notes from other health professionals.

The regulation will be implemented prior to respiratory illness season in fall 2025.

In addition to addressing unnecessary sick notes, the regulation update includes replacing fax and paper-based processes with digital systems, streamlining referral processes, consolidating and standardizing forms, and improving information-sharing between providers. As a result of a partnership effort with Doctors of BC and Health Quality BC, changes are being implemented related to the scheduling of medical imaging appointments, which are anticipated to save more than 180,000 physician hours per year.

Quotes:

Dr. Tracy Tresoor, physician, Ross Bay Health Clinic –

“Providing sick notes are one of many administrative burdens that family physicians face. More importantly, they highlight a disparity in access for people who do not have a primary care provider. I will welcome this small but meaningful change and hope that employers support their workers as well.”

Jane Narayan, family nurse practitioner, Axis Primary Care Clinic –

“I strongly support the decision to remove the requirement for employer-mandated sick notes for short-term and episodic illnesses. Too often, clinical appointments are booked solely for the purpose of obtaining a sick note. Removing this requirement will reduce unnecessary strain on our health-care system and allow clinicians to focus on delivering timely, meaningful care that genuinely supports our patient’s health and well-being.”

Quick Facts:

• The Canadian Medical Association estimates in 2024, B.C. doctors wrote approximately 1.6 million sick notes.
• Last year, the Canadian Medical Association and Doctors of BC called for the elimination of sick note requirements for employees taking a short-term absence from work due to illness or injury.
• Advocates estimate physicians across Canada spend between 10 and 19 hours each week on paperwork, including sick notes.