Skip to main content

“I am a Canadian, free to speak without fear, free to worship in my own way, free to stand for what I think right, free to oppose what I believe wrong, or free to choose those who shall govern my country. This heritage of freedom I pledge to uphold for myself and all mankind.” ~~ John G. Diefenbaker

Sturko Calls for Peace Officers in Hospitals After Shocking Nurse Assaults at Eagle Ridge


“Healthcare workers shouldn’t have to sue this government to be safe in their workplace. It’s time for the Health Minister to take a new approach, and place peace officers in high-risk hospitals like they do in other provinces.”  ~~ Elenore Sturko, Critic for Solicitor General and Public Safety & MLA for Surrey-Cloverdale



Elenore Sturko, MLA for Surrey South with the Conservative Party of British Columbia, is calling for immediate and concrete action from the NDP government following multiple violent incidents at Eagle Ridge Hospital in Port Moody, including a nurse who suffered a dislocated jaw and another threatened with a machete. 


A CBC investigation revealed a pattern of serious workplace violence in Fraser Health facilities, and allegations that healthcare workers who spoke out were met with retaliation or silence from the authority. Both incidents are now part of a lawsuit filed in B.C. Supreme Court, alleging a toxic and unsafe work environment.


“The Minister of Public Safety confirmed that the Government’s Relational Security Officers are NOT licensed to deal with weapons and violence. The government must shift to a healthcare safety model that is equipped to deal with the risk faced by healthcare workers every day.”


Fraser Health currently relies on relational security officers, private security staff who are not licensed to respond to violent or armed individuals. Critics, including frontline healthcare workers, have warned that this model is not adequate in today’s emergency departments, where assaults and threats are increasingly common.


“I’m calling on the government to deploy trained peace officers in high-risk emergency departments to protect both staff and patients,” said MLA Sturko. “We need an independent investigation into Fraser Health’s handling of workplace violence and the disturbing allegations of retaliation against those who speak up. It’s time we implement real whistleblower protections so healthcare workers can raise concerns without fear, and to mandate province-wide hospital violence prevention protocols that ensure every facility is a safe place to work and receive care.”


“The Minister needs to put herself in the shoes of a nurse. Would her response change if it was her jaw that was violently dislocated? In the legislature elected officials are protected by police, security, and metal detectors. Our healthcare professionals and their patients should be entitled to the same level of protection.” 

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Abbotsford-Mission MLA Reann Gasper to step down for Conservative Leader Hon. Kerry-Lynne Findlay to run in a by-election

Deputy Whip and MLA Reann Gasper has informed the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia of her decision to step down as MLA for Abbotsford-Mission, creating an opportunity for Conservative Party of British Columbia Leader Hon. Kerry-Lynne Findlay to seek the seat in a forthcoming by-election. Gasper said the decision was made carefully and deliberately, with the future of British Columbia firmly in mind. Abbotsford-Mission MLA Reann Gasper “This is a decision I have made after a great deal of careful consideration, and I believe it is the right decision for me, for our Party, and for the work ahead,” said MLA Gasper. “It has been a privilege to represent the people of Abbotsford-Mission, and I am deeply grateful to everyone who placed their trust in me. I am also grateful for the opportunity to serve alongside my colleagues in the Conservative Caucus and to contribute to our leadership team.” “I have confidence in Kerry-Lynne, in her leadership, and in her ability to ...
Post a Comment
Read more

NDP Sits on $61 Million With No Start Date for Burnaby Hospital

Phase 2 of Burnaby Hospital redevelopment  was green lit to go ahead in September 2023 The NDP spent $45 million on the Burnaby Hospital redevelopment, cancelled the second phase, and now has another $61 million listed for the project in the province’s Public Accounts, with no start date for construction. If the NDP cancelled the project, what is happening to the $61 million set aside for it? The Phase 2 project was expected to cost between $1.7 billion and $1.8 billion and was intended to expand the hospital’s capacity. With Burnaby’s population growing and residents struggling to access healthcare, the government should be investing in healthcare capacity, not leaving millions of dollars tied up in limbo. “The NDP spent $45 million on this project before cancelling it, and now $61 million remains listed for it in the Public Accounts,” said MLA Misty Van Popta, Shadow Minister for Infrastructure. “If the government isn’t going to build the hospital expansion, it should explain whe...
Post a Comment
Read more

BC Conservatives Point to Warning Signs in BC’s Economy

While Canada posted modest job gains in July, warning lights are still flashing in British Columbia. Youth unemployment remains stubbornly high, leaving too many first-time jobseekers shut out of the workforce. BC also lost 3,400 public administration jobs in July, likely as temporary Census positions ended. “BC's jobs divide remains stark. Unemployment is far higher in business-driven communities like Kelowna (9.3%) and Abbotsford-Mission (8.3%) than in Victoria (5.0%). Government should be focused on creating the conditions for private-sector investment and job growth,” said Gavin Dew, MLA for Kelowna-Mission and Shadow Minister for Economic Development. “We need an economy where young people can find work, businesses can hire, and every region has the opportunity to prosper.” This comes as BC faces five straight quarters where more businesses are closing than opening, an NDP cabinet rift over job-creating projects like Tilbury LNG, and fresh signs that even the province's to...
Post a Comment
Read more

Labels

Show more