File Photo (Image Credit: CFJC Today)
By Shuswap MLA Greg Kyllo
Sound Off

SOUND OFF: Province must follow federal lead on vaccine mandates

May 4, 2023 | 10:07 AM

LAST SUMMER, the federal government suspended vaccine mandates for various demographics including domestic travellers, transportation workers and federal employees. It is high time for the B.C. government to follow that lead and do the same for healthcare workers in this province.

Since last June, the BC United Caucus has repeatedly called for the government to provide a pathway for all British Columbians to return to work. We are at a point in time when we need ‘all hands on deck’ to deal with our healthcare crisis, yet thousands of doctors and nurses are still being kept on the sidelines.

Premier David Eby and the NDP government must develop a plan that includes robust safety protocols that would enable the nearly 2,500 healthcare professionals in B.C. to return to work. If the majority of the country can do it, B.C. can too.

The pandemic meant public health officials had to make extremely difficult decisions, including introducing vaccine requirements to slow the spread of COVID-19. However, as we transition to an endemic approach in managing COVID-19, it is time the government suspend mandates and bring British Columbia in line with other jurisdictions across Canada.

The NDP is once again falling short by prolonging this measure, and further burdening our already stressed healthcare system. Healthcare facilities are already grappling with a severe staff shortage, and it is discouraging that government refuses to take this step to help both healthcare workers and those seeking medical attention. Every day, we hear a distressing number of horror stories from healthcare professionals and patients, who are extremely demoralized due to the failing healthcare system.

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I’m worried about the well-being of my children and grandchildren as we continue to see the healthcare crisis worsen, while emergency rooms shut down and 1 million British Columbians can’t access a family doctor.

Access to timely and efficient health care is a fundamental right of every British Columbian. A significant step would be for the NDP government to follow the example set by the federal government and jurisdictions across Canada to allow healthcare workers to resume their duties. It is vital that the government do everything it can to support healthcare providers who are fatigued and overworked.

This government has a responsibility to ensure that the healthcare system is effectively serving people in this province. This means they have a duty to ensure that the vaccine mandate, which was originally intended to be a temporary measure, does not put excessive pressure on our healthcare system.

We will continue to press the government to follow the federal government’s lead to best serve British Columbians. We can’t afford to sit on the sidelines and watch our loved ones go without access to the quality health care everyone deserves.

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Editor’s Note: This opinion piece reflects the views of its author, and does not necessarily represent the views of CFJC Today or Pattison Media.

by Shuswap MLA Greg Kyllo

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