Registration - Organization

BC General Employees’ Union (BCGEU) / Paul Finch, President

Registration Information

Organization name: BC General Employees’ Union (BCGEU)
Previous Organization names
Senior Officer Name: Paul Finch, President
Senior Officer Change History
Initial registration start date: 2017-11-06
Registration status: Active
Projected end date: No date provided
Registration number: 10473-463

Associated Lobbying Activity Reports

Total number of Lobbying Activity Reports: 117

Lobbying Activity Reports - last 6 months: 3

Version 34 of 38 (2023-12-01 to 2024-04-01)

Registration versions:

Version 34 of 38 (2023-12-01 to 2024-04-01)

Lobbying Information

Subject Matter of the Lobbying Activities

Details Regarding the Identified Subject Matter

Will any of the lobbyists listed within this registration arrange a meeting between a public office holder and any other individual for the purpose of attempting to influence any of the matters listed below:

Subject matters added through an Lobbying Activity Report:
Specific Topics of Lobbying Communications	Intended Outcomes	Associated Subject Matters
1. Overhauling the compensation model for wildland firefighters, with an emphasis on guaranteed full-time pay and benefits rather than the current overreliance on overtime provisions; 2. Developing a coherent recruitment and retention strategy that rewards expertise, provides strong career paths, and compensates operational staff fairly; 3. Accelerating the transition to a year-round wildfire prevention and mitigation model, with more full-time and seasonal regular staffing, including officers and crew; 4. Establishing enhanced early retirement provisions for BCWS members under the Public Service Pension Plan; and 5. Reforming relationships with First Nations, including strengthening engagement with Indigenous wildfire crews.	Development or enactment of any regulation, including the enactment of a regulation for the purposes of amending or repealing a regulation Development, establishment, amendment or termination of any program, policy, directive or guideline of the government of British Columbia or a Provincial entity	Emergency Preparedness, Forestry, Labour/Labour Relations
1. Return the Forensic Psychiatric Hospital to direct government. 2. Direct FPH management to work with frontline staff and the Joint Occupational Health and Safety Committee to review and strengthen all policies, procedures, and systems that impact the safety of workers and the public. 3. Direct FPH management to ensure that FSOs are allowed to do their jobs. This should include training for staff on the role of FSOs and how they fit into the larger team, as well as the creation of new policies and/or better compliance with existing policies.	Development or enactment of any regulation, including the enactment of a regulation for the purposes of amending or repealing a regulation Development, establishment, amendment or termination of any program, policy, directive or guideline of the government of British Columbia or a Provincial entity	Justice and Law Enforcement, Labour/Labour Relations, Mental Health and Addictions
Accelerated transition of all currently licensed childcare programs to a provincially funded support model based on the prototype childcare sites.	Development or enactment of any regulation, including the enactment of a regulation for the purposes of amending or repealing a regulation Development, establishment, amendment or termination of any program, policy, directive or guideline of the government of British Columbia or a Provincial entity	Children and Families
Advocating for the expansion of home support services, improved standards of care in residential care facilities, better occupational health and safety for workers, and strengthened mental health and addictions services. Advocating for the public provision of health services.	Development of any legislative proposal by the government of British Columbia, a Provincial entity or a member of the Legislative Assembly Introduction, amendment, passage or defeat of any Bill or resolution in or before the Legislative Assembly	Health
Advocating for various improvements in government procurement practices, including successorship in contracts, bringing outsourced work back in house, and public ownership of infrastructure.	Development of any legislative proposal by the government of British Columbia, a Provincial entity or a member of the Legislative Assembly Awarding, amendment or termination of any contract, grant or financial benefit by or on behalf of the government of British Columbia or a Provincial entity	Government Procurement
BCGEU would like to be included in consultations regarding the cannabis store system.	Development or enactment of any regulation, including the enactment of a regulation for the purposes of amending or repealing a regulation Development, establishment, amendment or termination of any program, policy, directive or guideline of the government of British Columbia or a Provincial entity	Cannabis, Labour/Labour Relations
BC Sheiff Service issues, including: • Recruitment and Retention issues, including compensation • Extended Work Week: (moving to a 37.5- or 40- hour work week) • Expanding sheriffs’ duties • Moving sheriffs out of the Court Services Branch into its own branch under the Ministry of Attorney General • Instituting supervisory and management changes • Implementing an early retirement program for sheriffs	Development or enactment of any regulation, including the enactment of a regulation for the purposes of amending or repealing a regulation Development, establishment, amendment or termination of any program, policy, directive or guideline of the government of British Columbia or a Provincial entity	Justice and Law Enforcement, Labour/Labour Relations
BC Wildfire Service: potential for off-season employment for wildfire fighters in ministry mandated wildfire risk reduction, forest health and silviculture work, and keeping this critical work in direct government as opposed to devolving it to contract agencies.	Development or enactment of any regulation, including the enactment of a regulation for the purposes of amending or repealing a regulation Development, establishment, amendment or termination of any program, policy, directive or guideline of the government of British Columbia or a Provincial entity	Forestry, Labour/Labour Relations
BC Wildfire Service working conditions and recruitment and retention issues, including: -Health and safety and hazards on the job -Protecting infrastructure -Overtime and hours of work -Mental health concerns -Lack of adequate on-the-job training -Lack of danger tree fallers -Work-life balance -Lack of access to childcare -Pay and compensation	Development or enactment of any regulation, including the enactment of a regulation for the purposes of amending or repealing a regulation Development, establishment, amendment or termination of any program, policy, directive or guideline of the government of British Columbia or a Provincial entity	Emergency Preparedness, Environment, Forestry, Infrastructure, Labour/Labour Relations, Mental Health and Addictions
Building on the Early Childhood Educator Wage Enhancement program from 2019, the government should implement a provincial wage grid and ensure a comprehensive package that includes benefits and pension	Development or enactment of any regulation, including the enactment of a regulation for the purposes of amending or repealing a regulation Development, establishment, amendment or termination of any program, policy, directive or guideline of the government of British Columbia or a Provincial entity	Children and Families, Labour/Labour Relations
Childcare capital spending should be focused on public providers, and efforts should be made to remove funding barriers for First Nations communities and other public/non-profit providers	Development, establishment, amendment or termination of any program, policy, directive or guideline of the government of British Columbia or a Provincial entity Awarding, amendment or termination of any contract, grant or financial benefit by or on behalf of the government of British Columbia or a Provincial entity	Children and Families
Concerns contracting out at BC Place.	Development or enactment of any regulation, including the enactment of a regulation for the purposes of amending or repealing a regulation Development, establishment, amendment or termination of any program, policy, directive or guideline of the government of British Columbia or a Provincial entity Decision by the Executive Council or a member of the Executive Council to have the private sector instead of the Crown provide goods or services to the government of British Columbia or a Provincial entity	Government Procurement, Labour/Labour Relations
Consultation as a stakeholder on the current audit of BC Housing.	Development or enactment of any regulation, including the enactment of a regulation for the purposes of amending or repealing a regulation Development, establishment, amendment or termination of any program, policy, directive or guideline of the government of British Columbia or a Provincial entity	Housing, Labour/Labour Relations
Enacting a rent freeze or capping the maximum allowable rent increase until inflation is back within the Bank of Canada’s target zone.	Development or enactment of any regulation, including the enactment of a regulation for the purposes of amending or repealing a regulation Development, establishment, amendment or termination of any program, policy, directive or guideline of the government of British Columbia or a Provincial entity	Housing
Ensuring a seat at any appropriate tables where consultation regarding the BC Provincial Government Child Care Strategy stakeholders is happening.	Development of any legislative proposal by the government of British Columbia, a Provincial entity or a member of the Legislative Assembly Development or enactment of any regulation, including the enactment of a regulation for the purposes of amending or repealing a regulation Development, establishment, amendment or termination of any program, policy, directive or guideline of the government of British Columbia or a Provincial entity	Children and Families, Education, Labour/Labour Relations
Ensuring BCGEU is consulted regarding changes to services that employ our members, including BC wildfire service and supportive housing delivery.	Development, establishment, amendment or termination of any program, policy, directive or guideline of the government of British Columbia or a Provincial entity	Labour/Labour Relations
Equity and fairness in compensation	Development or enactment of any regulation, including the enactment of a regulation for the purposes of amending or repealing a regulation Development, establishment, amendment or termination of any program, policy, directive or guideline of the government of British Columbia or a Provincial entity	Human Rights, Labour/Labour Relations
Expanded childcare as Part of BC’s Economic Recovery.	Development or enactment of any regulation, including the enactment of a regulation for the purposes of amending or repealing a regulation Development, establishment, amendment or termination of any program, policy, directive or guideline of the government of British Columbia or a Provincial entity	COVID-19, Children and Families, Economic Development and Trade
Expanding Section 135 of the Workers’ Compensation Act to cover more frontline workers— specifically those in mental health and addictions and community social services.	Development of any legislative proposal by the government of British Columbia, a Provincial entity or a member of the Legislative Assembly Development or enactment of any regulation, including the enactment of a regulation for the purposes of amending or repealing a regulation Development, establishment, amendment or termination of any program, policy, directive or guideline of the government of British Columbia or a Provincial entity	Health, Labour/Labour Relations, Mental Health and Addictions
Governance improvements in Workers Compensation, including increased representation for workers.	Development or enactment of any regulation, including the enactment of a regulation for the purposes of amending or repealing a regulation Development, establishment, amendment or termination of any program, policy, directive or guideline of the government of British Columbia or a Provincial entity	Health, Labour/Labour Relations
Improved compensation, training, supports and safety measures for mental health workers, addictions workers, shelter staff and workers in related sectors.	Development, establishment, amendment or termination of any program, policy, directive or guideline of the government of British Columbia or a Provincial entity	Labour/Labour Relations, Mental Health and Addictions
Improvements to the workers compensation system, act, related regulations and operations to better support injured workers and their families.	Development of any legislative proposal by the government of British Columbia, a Provincial entity or a member of the Legislative Assembly Development or enactment of any regulation, including the enactment of a regulation for the purposes of amending or repealing a regulation Development, establishment, amendment or termination of any program, policy, directive or guideline of the government of British Columbia or a Provincial entity	Health, Labour/Labour Relations
Improving communication with the Ministry and having input on operational regulations as they are developed.	Development or enactment of any regulation, including the enactment of a regulation for the purposes of amending or repealing a regulation	Children and Families, Labour/Labour Relations
Improving LDB recruitment and retention	Development or enactment of any regulation, including the enactment of a regulation for the purposes of amending or repealing a regulation Development, establishment, amendment or termination of any program, policy, directive or guideline of the government of British Columbia or a Provincial entity	Labour/Labour Relations, Liquor Control/Alcohol
Including workers at Atira Women’s Resource Society in the Community Health Agreement	Development of any legislative proposal by the government of British Columbia, a Provincial entity or a member of the Legislative Assembly Development or enactment of any regulation, including the enactment of a regulation for the purposes of amending or repealing a regulation Development, establishment, amendment or termination of any program, policy, directive or guideline of the government of British Columbia or a Provincial entity	Health, Labour/Labour Relations, Mental Health and Addictions
Increases in wage rates (Labour Component of the Annual Price Adjustment) for Highway Maintenance contracts; Recruitment and Retention; Enforcement of Highway Maintenance Contract standards.	Development, establishment, amendment or termination of any program, policy, directive or guideline of the government of British Columbia or a Provincial entity Awarding, amendment or termination of any contract, grant or financial benefit by or on behalf of the government of British Columbia or a Provincial entity	Infrastructure, Labour/Labour Relations
Moving forward and resolving the myriad of issues experienced by those housed and working in the supportive housing sector.	Development of any legislative proposal by the government of British Columbia, a Provincial entity or a member of the Legislative Assembly Development or enactment of any regulation, including the enactment of a regulation for the purposes of amending or repealing a regulation Development, establishment, amendment or termination of any program, policy, directive or guideline of the government of British Columbia or a Provincial entity	Health, Housing, Labour/Labour Relations, Mental Health and Addictions, Poverty
Presumptive clause for psychological injury – issues of trauma from covid and opioid crisis.	Development or enactment of any regulation, including the enactment of a regulation for the purposes of amending or repealing a regulation Development, establishment, amendment or termination of any program, policy, directive or guideline of the government of British Columbia or a Provincial entity Decision by the Executive Council or a member of the Executive Council to have the private sector instead of the Crown provide goods or services to the government of British Columbia or a Provincial entity	COVID-19, Health, Labour/Labour Relations, Mental Health and Addictions
Priority issues for BCGEU members within Adult Corrections, including: -Recruitment & Retention; -Reduced Recruits in Training Classes and Impacts; -Extended Work Week; -Increased violence; -Post Covid-19 & Disciplinary Hearing Process; -Staff shortages and Impacts.	Development or enactment of any regulation, including the enactment of a regulation for the purposes of amending or repealing a regulation Development, establishment, amendment or termination of any program, policy, directive or guideline of the government of British Columbia or a Provincial entity	Justice and Law Enforcement, Labour/Labour Relations
Professionalization of wildfire fighting in BC, including: recruitment and retention of skilled wildfire fighters employed year-round; addressing low pay and lack of job security; making BC self sufficient in wildfire fighting; properly resourcing the service; improving integration with Indigenous communities and incorporation of Indigenous-led fire management practices.	Development or enactment of any regulation, including the enactment of a regulation for the purposes of amending or repealing a regulation Development, establishment, amendment or termination of any program, policy, directive or guideline of the government of British Columbia or a Provincial entity	Emergency Preparedness, Environment, Forestry, Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation, Labour/Labour Relations
Promoting the training, recruitment and retention of childcare and social services workers. Seeking improvements in services for children, youth and families, including establishing a universal childcare system, ensuring Indigenous families receive an equal level and quality of care, and expanding programs for youth transitioning out of care.	Development of any legislative proposal by the government of British Columbia, a Provincial entity or a member of the Legislative Assembly	Children and Families
Promoting the training, recruitment and retention of workers in the justice system. Advocating for improved access to the justice system, including by expanding legal aid, First Nations legal services, and family justice centres. Seeking changes that will reduce prison violence, including reduced staff-to-inmate ratios.	Development of any legislative proposal by the government of British Columbia, a Provincial entity or a member of the Legislative Assembly	Justice and Law Enforcement
Repatriation of housekeeping services at the Forensic Psychiatric Hospital.	Awarding, amendment or termination of any contract, grant or financial benefit by or on behalf of the government of British Columbia or a Provincial entity Decision by the Executive Council or a member of the Executive Council to have the private sector instead of the Crown provide goods or services to the government of British Columbia or a Provincial entity	Health, Justice and Law Enforcement, Mental Health and Addictions
Requesting a meeting with our union to discuss potential consequences of a recent regulatory change and offer solutions to best mitigate any negative impacts to BCGEU members at the BC Liquor Distribution Branch (BCLDB).	Development or enactment of any regulation, including the enactment of a regulation for the purposes of amending or repealing a regulation Development, establishment, amendment or termination of any program, policy, directive or guideline of the government of British Columbia or a Provincial entity	Labour/Labour Relations, Liquor Control/Alcohol
Requesting that government recognize the BCGEU as a community of interest related to the recommendations from “A Rapid Investigation into Repeat Offending and Random Stranger Violence in British Columbia," and that government include the BCGEU in any work undertaken towards implementation of the report’s recommendations.	Development, establishment, amendment or termination of any program, policy, directive or guideline of the government of British Columbia or a Provincial entity	Justice and Law Enforcement, Mental Health and Addictions
Seeking changes to enhance BC Liquor Stores and to end the sale of grocery store wine licenses.	Development or enactment of any regulation, including the enactment of a regulation for the purposes of amending or repealing a regulation	Liquor Control/Alcohol
Seeking improvements in compliance and enforcement programs across government and changes to environmental and natural resource laws that strengthen public oversight. Advocating for more funding and to protect BC Parks from commercialization/ privatization. Advocating for actions to address climate change, including just transition measures for affected workers and communities.	Development of any legislative proposal by the government of British Columbia, a Provincial entity or a member of the Legislative Assembly	Environment
Seeking improvements to postsecondary education, including funding increases and changes to trades training in BC.	Development of any legislative proposal by the government of British Columbia, a Provincial entity or a member of the Legislative Assembly	Advanced Education
Seeking improvements to the Labour Code, Workers' Compensation Act, Worksafe BC and employment standards, including stronger protections for workers, strengthened health and safety regulations, and strategies to address precarious work.	Development of any legislative proposal by the government of British Columbia, a Provincial entity or a member of the Legislative Assembly Introduction, amendment, passage or defeat of any Bill or resolution in or before the Legislative Assembly Development or enactment of any regulation, including the enactment of a regulation for the purposes of amending or repealing a regulation	Labour/Labour Relations
Seeking support for strategies to address the housing affordability crisis in BC, including tax changes, stronger protection for renters and investment in new affordable public housing.	Development of any legislative proposal by the government of British Columbia, a Provincial entity or a member of the Legislative Assembly Introduction, amendment, passage or defeat of any Bill or resolution in or before the Legislative Assembly	Housing
Sheriff service issues, including: -Recruitment and retention / Extended work week -Expanding duties -Moving the Sheriff Service out of the Court Services Branch	Development or enactment of any regulation, including the enactment of a regulation for the purposes of amending or repealing a regulation Development, establishment, amendment or termination of any program, policy, directive or guideline of the government of British Columbia or a Provincial entity	Justice and Law Enforcement, Labour/Labour Relations
Supportive housing should be recognized as a distinct sector in the health field, and covered by HEABC and and the Community Health agreement.	Development or enactment of any regulation, including the enactment of a regulation for the purposes of amending or repealing a regulation Development, establishment, amendment or termination of any program, policy, directive or guideline of the government of British Columbia or a Provincial entity	Health, Housing, Labour/Labour Relations, Mental Health and Addictions
The BCGEU requests that the ministry include our union in discussions related to reconciliation measures and strategies for K-12 education	Development or enactment of any regulation, including the enactment of a regulation for the purposes of amending or repealing a regulation Development, establishment, amendment or termination of any program, policy, directive or guideline of the government of British Columbia or a Provincial entity	Education, Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation
The government should implement Vacancy Control, a form of rent control that ties allowable rent increases to a housing unit, rather than to individual tenancy agreements, which is the current model of rent control in B.C.	Development of any legislative proposal by the government of British Columbia, a Provincial entity or a member of the Legislative Assembly Development, establishment, amendment or termination of any program, policy, directive or guideline of the government of British Columbia or a Provincial entity	Housing, Poverty
The inclusion of Sheriffs within the scope of the "public safety occupation" category for the purposes of early retirement benefits as per the Income Tax Act.	Development of any legislative proposal by the government of British Columbia, a Provincial entity or a member of the Legislative Assembly Development or enactment of any regulation, including the enactment of a regulation for the purposes of amending or repealing a regulation Development, establishment, amendment or termination of any program, policy, directive or guideline of the government of British Columbia or a Provincial entity	Justice and Law Enforcement, Labour/Labour Relations
The ministry should include our union in discussions related to reconciliation, particularly with respect to strategies for child welfare.	Development or enactment of any regulation, including the enactment of a regulation for the purposes of amending or repealing a regulation Development, establishment, amendment or termination of any program, policy, directive or guideline of the government of British Columbia or a Provincial entity	Children and Families, Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation
The ministry should include our union in discussions related to the planning and implementation of childcare initiatives.	Development or enactment of any regulation, including the enactment of a regulation for the purposes of amending or repealing a regulation Development, establishment, amendment or termination of any program, policy, directive or guideline of the government of British Columbia or a Provincial entity	Children and Families, Education, Labour/Labour Relations
The vital role of religious, cultural, and needs-based independent schools as a supplement to a robust public K- 12 education system.	Development or enactment of any regulation, including the enactment of a regulation for the purposes of amending or repealing a regulation Development, establishment, amendment or termination of any program, policy, directive or guideline of the government of British Columbia or a Provincial entity	Education
The Workers Compensation Act should be reviewed and amended to alter provisions that harm injured workers.	Development of any legislative proposal by the government of British Columbia, a Provincial entity or a member of the Legislative Assembly Development or enactment of any regulation, including the enactment of a regulation for the purposes of amending or repealing a regulation Development, establishment, amendment or termination of any program, policy, directive or guideline of the government of British Columbia or a Provincial entity	Health, Labour/Labour Relations
Understaffing and lack of necessary resources contributing to backlog in environmental assessments needed to move forward on affordable housing projects.	Development, establishment, amendment or termination of any program, policy, directive or guideline of the government of British Columbia or a Provincial entity	Environment, Housing, Labour/Labour Relations
Union representation and jurisdictional issues in the context of sectoral reorganizations.	Development or enactment of any regulation, including the enactment of a regulation for the purposes of amending or repealing a regulation Development, establishment, amendment or termination of any program, policy, directive or guideline of the government of British Columbia or a Provincial entity	Labour/Labour Relations
Subject matters added through an Lobbying Activity Report:
Increase and stabilize funding for post-secondary education. Fairness for international students.	Development, establishment, amendment or termination of any program, policy, directive or guideline of the government of British Columbia or a Provincial entity	Advanced Education

BC Ministries/Provincial Entities

Advanced Education and Skills Training
Agriculture and Food
Attorney General
British Columbia Housing Management Commission
Children and Family Development
Education and Child Care
Emergency Management and Climate Readiness
Environment and Climate Change Strategy
Finance
Forests
Fraser Health Authority
Health
Housing
Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation
Jobs, Economic Development and Innovation
Labour
Member(s) of the BC Legislative Assembly
Mental Health and Addictions
Minister of State for Child Care
Municipal Affairs
Office of the Premier
Parliamentary Secretary for Emergency Preparedness
Parliamentary Secretary for Environment
Parliamentary Secretary for Gender Equity
Public Safety and Solicitor General
Social Development and Poverty Reduction
Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport
Transportation and Infrastructure
Vancouver Coastal Health Authority
Water, Land and Resource Stewardship

Organization Details

Senior Officer Name and Position during the Period of this Registration

Stephanie Smith, President

Organization Contact Information

BC General Employees’ Union (BCGEU)

Address:
4911 Canada Way
Burnaby, BC V5G 3W3
Canada

Telephone number: 604-291-9611

Description of Activities

The BCGEU is one of the largest and most diverse labour unions in British Columbia. We represent over 80,000 members in 550 bargaining units in the private sector and public services.

Gifts or benefits provided by the organization

Gifts or Benefits Provided to Public Officer Holders
Name	Gift or Benefit Description	Circumstance	Date Promised	Value Promised	Date Given	Value Given
No Records

Contributors to the Lobbying Activity

No person or organization contributed over $1000CDN, within the preceding 12 months, toward the lobbying activity on behalf of the organization that has a direct interest in the outcome of the lobbying activity.

Government Funding in the Last 12 Months

No government funding was requested or received within the preceding 12 months.

Coalition Members Information

BC Health Coalition
- 302-3102 Main Street
  Vancouver, BC V5T 3G7
  Canada
BC Poverty Reduction Coalition
- 409 - 312 Main Street,
  Vancouver, BC V6A 2T2
  Canada

Affiliates with a Direct Interest in the Outcome

BC General Employees’ Union (BCGEU) does not have any affiliates that could have a direct interest in the outcome of the lobbying activities

Other Persons or Organizations with Direct Interests

The activities of BC General Employees’ Union (BCGEU) are not controlled or directed by another person or organization with a direct interest in the outcome of this undertaking.

Lobbyists Details

Lobbyists Employed by this Organization

Lobbyist

Contributions

Frank Anderson
Subscribes to a Code of Conduct: No
Former Public Office Holder in BC: No