News & Updates

This month, BC Finance Minister Carole Taylor released the government's first quarterly report for the current fiscal period. In releasing the information, she rang alarm bells, saying that health spending is out of control. Is it really? Columnist Will McMartin takes a closer look at the numbers in The Tyee, an online news magazine and debunks the myth that health...

As HSA's Team Captain for the 2006 Run for the Cure, I encourage you to support this year's CIBC Run for the Cure, the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation's most important fundraiser of the year. Runs are being held across British Columbia, and even if there isn't a run in your community, you can help the fight against breast cancer by...

Ottawa - The National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) joins the Canadian Health Coalition (CHC) in welcoming the latest progress report on a National Pharmaceutical Strategy (NPS), compiled by provincial health ministers. The strategy should work to improve pharmaceutical management and help offset the impact of catastrophic drug costs for Canadians. NUPGE president James Clancy says it's a...

Please check out the variety of courses offered by the Capilano College Labour Studies Program for the Fall of 2006 The instructors and staff are members of unions in British Columbias public sector. In 2005, the Labour Studies program celebrated its 30th anniversary of developing, promoting and offering union education. Participant feedback indicates these courses provide valuable information, and are...

HSA members are invited to attend the official opening for the TELUS Tour for the Cure in Vancouver on Saturday, September 23rd at 11:00 a.m. at Oakridge Centre.The TELUS Tour for the Cure is an informative and interactive exhibit that will travel to communities across British Columbia over the next eight months to promote the value and importance of breast...

HSA members are invited to attend the official opening for the TELUS Tour for the Cure in Burnaby on Monday, September 18th at 11:10 a.m. at Metropolis at Metrotown.The TELUS Tour for the Cure is an informative and interactive exhibit that will travel to communities across British Columbia over the next eight months to promote the value and importance of...

There is still room available in HSA's Steward Training Level 1 workshop beginning September 18. Members who need this training should be aware that this is the only time this workshop is scheduled this fall. Please register as soon as possible since space is limited. In addition, Occupational Health and Safety stewards are reminded of the two-day Basic Training Workshop...

The Report: September / October 2006 vol.27 num.5 by MIRIAM SOBRINO it Farrar, a dietitian who helped start the Health Sciences Association in the early 1970s, died August 14, 2006 aged 91. She served as HSAs first president and executive director. Farrar was born October 16, 1915 in Sutherland, a small town northwest of Saskatoon. Her parents, who emigrated from...

The Report: September / October 2006 vol.27 num.5 by LAURA BUSHEIKIN ts a short term residential rehab program for frail elderly medically complex clients," is how social worker Cindy Stefani defines the GEM Program. But that rather dry collection of words does not begin to describe what GEM really does. For most patients, The GEM program means the difference between...

The Report: September / October 2006 vol.27 num.5 by ALISON HIETANEN My child has received a life threatening diagnosis and I really feel the need to be at home caring for her. I dont have enough hours in my sick bank to get through the five-month waiting period should I apply for long term disability. On top of all that...