Chilliwack joins Abbotsford, Mission, and the FVRD for a mediator in month long transit strike
Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 19 Apr, 2023 05:12 PM
Chilliwack is joining the cities of Abbotsford and Mission along with the Fraser Valley Regional District (FVRD) in calling for a mediator in the month-long transit strike in the region.
Some unionized bus drivers and maintenance workers walked off the job on March 20th, cutting regular bus service.
Contract bargaining is protected from interference under B-C’s Labour Relations Code and municipalities have a long-standing rule of not commenting on negotiations.
But, the motion from the Chilliwack council notes the province’s Minister of Labour has the ability to weigh in to assist with mediation and arbitration.
Health Canada officials, who gave a briefing on the condition they not be named publicly, said that would help the government refine the program before hiring a company to do the work. The Liberals committed to some form of federal dental-care coverage for low-income Canadians in its March confidence and supply agreement with the New Democrats.
The fiscal update, to be presented in the House of Commons, will also share the government's outlook for an economy facing high inflation and staring down a potential recession in the coming months.
The incoming storm is also expected to deluge parts of Metro Vancouver, including Coquitlam and Maple Ridge, with more than 100 millimetres of rain before it eases late Sunday and the weather office says rainfall warnings are likely to be issued as the forecasts are refined.
Dental care is a pillar of the supply and confidence deal between the Liberals and the NDP. The Liberals promised to launch a federal dental care insurance program by the end of 2022, starting with coverage for children from low- and middle-income families.
Under the bail conditions, Polman is prohibited from possessing a cellphone or any other device capable of connecting to the internet, and from driving any motorized vehicle. She cannot possess any documents related to a terrorist group or leave B.C. without the consent of her bail supervisor, and she must be electronically monitored and abide by a 9 p.m. curfew.
The report, which looked at data from more than 4,750 food banks and community organizations, said the skyrocketing cost of food and housing, as well as high inflation and lowsocial assistance rates, have contributed to the rise in food bank usage. Kirstin Beardsley, the CEO of Food Banks Canada, called the numbers "devastating."
