For Immediate Release

The current crisis in our court system was flagged as a major problem years ago and Premier Christy Clark should keep her promise to British Columbians to fix the sheriff shortage in B.C. courts, says the B.C. Government and Service Employees’ Union.

BCGEU president gives a first-look response to the BC 2017 budget, from the budget lockup at the Victoria Convention Centre.

The B.C. government’s election year budget sees modest increases in select public services, but does little to address the serious public service deficit stemming from more than a decade of budget cuts, says the B.C. Government and Service Employees’ Union.

New statistics released by BC Corrections show that prison violence in BC continues to rise. Assaults on correctional officers rose by 39 per cent between 2014 and 2015, and the new stats indicate that – based on the halfway point of 2016 – this figure is projected to rise by another 21.5 per cent for 2016. 

By: Stephanie Smith

 For the past decade and a half, the B.C. government has cut taxes, regulations and public services. The needs of business have been prioritized over the needs of people and the environment. British Columbians have been told that the province cannot afford to invest in social programs.

BC Throne Speech response:

Throne speeches are political documents that governments use to promote successes and paper over their failures, while setting broad-brush political priorities for upcoming budgets. The 2017 Speech from the Throne is true to form; providing few details, but gives broad hints about future economic policy.

As you know, violence in BC’s prisons is on the rise. Correctional officers work in conditions that are stressful, dangerous, and sometimes life-threatening.
 
Yet Mike Morris, BC’s Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General, dismisses safety concerns in our province’s correctional centres. During Question Period in the legislature last year he stated that: “Safety is not an issue in any of the correctional centres we have in BC” (at 31:01).
 
In a recent interview with Radio NL in Kamloops, Minister Morris said there seems to be a significant difference between how the government and union define an assault. 

"I am going to have to have a chit chat with Dean [Purdy] to find that out,” said Morris.

Your Component VP Dean Purdy will meet with the Minister in Victoria early next month to discuss this in greater detail.
 
In the meantime – with your help – let’s inform Minister Morris about the very real, dangerous issues in BC’s jails.
 
It’s time for the Minister to understand and acknowledge that prison safety is a serious issue. Our provincial prisons are increasingly violent for both the inmates and our members who work there. The statistics alone prove that violence is on the rise: assaults on correctional officers rose by 39 per cent between 2014 and 2015 and they are projected to rise by another 21.5 per cent by the end of 2016. 
 
The statistics speak for themselves, but now it’s time for your voice to be heard.
 
We ask that members share their stories that they have personally experienced from prison violence.
 
Please be assured that confidentiality will be guaranteed. Your name, along with any other personal information will be removed and your story will be sent directly to Minister Morris.
 
Send your stories to: [email protected]. If you have any questions about the Prison Safety Now campaign, contact [email protected].

\*\*CALL FOR NOMINATIONS FOR THE 50th BCGEU TRIENNIAL CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION\*\* of 2 Alternates held June 14-17, 2017, Vancouver.\*\*