Vancouver Fire Fighters are proud to announce the endorsement of several candidates for the upcoming provincial election. These endorsements are based on a history of strong advocacy for fire fighters, labor issues, and public safety. Below are the candidates endorsed by Vancouver Fire Fighters Local 18:
Minister George Chow
Vancouver-Fraserview (VFV)
Attorney General Niki Sharma
Vancouver-Hastings (VHA)
Mable Elmore
Vancouver-Kensington (VKE)
Sunita Dhir
Vancouver-Langara (VLA)
Christine Boyle
Vancouver-Little Mountain (VLM)
Premier David Eby
Vancouver-Point Grey (VNP)
Callista Ryan
Vancouver-Quilchena (VNQ)
Minister Adrian Dix
Vancouver-Renfrew (VNR)
Minister Brenda Bailey
Vancouver-South Granville (VNS)
Joan PhiLlip
Vancouver-Strathcona (VNT)
Spencer Chandra-Herbert
Vancouver-West End (VNW)
Terry Yung
Vancouver-Yaletown (VNY)
Wins for BC Fire Fighters Under the NDP Government
Under the leadership of the NDP, significant strides have been made to protect and enhance the lives of BC Fire Fighters:
2024
$300,000 allocated for two years to the BC Occupational Awareness Training Program for all Fire Service and Wildfire personnel, helping improve safety and awareness across the sector.
2023
The NDP government passed Bill 19, introduced by the Minister of Labour, to include 5 Employer Paid Sick Days, a major victory for union-funded sick time, gratuity, and acting time. The expansion of presumptive coverage for fire fighters was another major achievement, covering additional cancers such as:
- Cervical Cancer (10 years)
- Ovarian Cancer (10 years)
- Penile Cancer (15 years)
- Pancreatic Cancer (10 years)
- Thyroid Cancer (10 years)
Furthermore, the accumulation period for presumptive coverage was reduced for:
- Esophageal Cancer (from 25 years to 20 years)
- Colorectal & Testicular Cancer (from 20 years to 10 years)
Additionally, 46 scope of practice changes were made by the BC Ministry of Health, expanding the care fire fighters and paramedics can provide in emergency situations.
Other improvements include:
- Expanded access to independent health professionals
- Requiring WorkSafeBC to pay interest on delayed benefit payments due to review or appeal decisions
- Indexing disability payments
- Child care fee reductions, benefiting fire fighter families.
2018
Expanded presumptive coverage for Operational Stress Injury (PTSD) (no latency period but must be an active fire fighter).
Future Commitment
Vancouver Fire Fighters Local 18 remains committed to ensuring our Fire Fighters are the most covered in the country when it comes to presumptive illness. We will continue to advocate for expanding coverage, improving workplace conditions, and enhancing the benefits and protections available to all fire fighters.
