Victoria, BC – The Hospital Employees’ Union (HEU) is encouraged to see the province's budget for 2025-2026 expand government support of public health care, including stepped-up capital funding of $15.5 billion for critical health care infrastructure.
“Today, we heard from the Premier that we’re in tough economic times globally with the tariffs being imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump,” says HEU secretary-business manager Lynn Bueckert. "At the same time, British Columbians have told us repeatedly they need to see improvements in the health care system."
"Government tabled a budget today that will both increase investments in public health care, as well as provide a measured plan for B.C. as we move forward together through this moment of economic uncertainty," says Bueckert.
Overall, the government is boosting health care investments over the next three years to ramp up capacity in the health care system, as well as build new and upgraded care facilities throughout B.C.
“In this budget, we’re seeing the government continue to renovate and build hospitals and long- term care facilities, including the new St. Paul’s and Surrey Hospitals,” says Bueckert. “While Conservative provincial governments across Canada are privatizing health care, this government chose to protect people and public health care, while safeguarding the economy."
"HEU looks forward to working with government on the difficulties in recruiting and retaining health care workers" says Bueckert. “We know that it remains challenging to attract new health care workers because of workload issues and short staffing."
The HEU represents 60,000 health care workers in British Columbia.