July 10, 2026

Union says job action will continue as nurses await evidence government and employers are prepared to reach a fair agreement

The BC Nurses' Union says today's appointment of special mediators to assist with negotiations is only meaningful if it results in the significant movement needed to address the issues driving thousands of nurses to job action across the province.

The union also expressed disappointment that news of the appointment was announced publicly before it had been formally communicated to the Nurses' Bargaining Association (NBA)."

The first time nurses should hear about a major development in negotiations should not be through a government announcement,” said BCNU President Adriane Gear. “Nor should we be learning through the media who we will be working with. The way today’s announcement was communicated does little to build the trust that’s needed to move these negotiations forward.”

The appointment comes after bargaining reached an impasse and nurses began escalating job action across British Columbia, following a record 98.2 per cent strike mandate."

This is not how a process built on good-faith bargaining should unfold," says NBA Chief Negotiator Jim Gould. “As the NBA prepares to participate in the mediation process, nurses remain focused on securing an agreement that meaningfully addresses wages, staffing shortages, workplace violence and the growing pressures facing the profession.”

Job action will continue while mediation gets underway with picket lines expected to go up at Victoria General Hospital on Sunday and Nanaimo Regional General Hospital on Monday and the Royal Jubilee Hospital on Tuesday."

Nurses are taking the difficult step of escalating job action because they're fighting for solutions,” says Gear. “We remain hopeful, but we are also realistic. Until we see meaningful progress at the bargaining table, nurses will continue standing together and taking action to fight for the changes patients and our profession need."

BCNU says the coming days will demonstrate whether the appointment represents a genuine commitment to resolving the dispute or simply another delay in addressing the challenges nurses have been raising throughout bargaining.

Source: www.bcnu.org

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CHETWYND, B.C. — Red and white filled the streets of Chetwynd as residents and visitors came out to celebrate Canada Day 2026 with a parade and an afternoon of family-friendly activities, live entertainment and community connections.

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The fun began at 11:00 a.m. with the annual Canada Day Parade. Spectators lined the parade route from the District of Chetwynd Office down to the Splash Park. The festive atmosphere was a display of pride and spirit of the community as families, friends and visitors waved Canadian flags and cheered local organizations, businesses, emergency services and community groups as they paraded through town.

The parade was followed by the celebration at the Chetwynd Splash Park from 11:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. where residents enjoyed an afternoon of free activities and entertainment for all ages.

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The official program kicked off with welcoming remarks by Mayor Allen Courtoreille, who thanked the many volunteers, sponsors, community organizations and attendees who helped make the annual celebration a success. A Chetwynd Visitor Centre & Rec Centre staff member led the crowd in a heartfelt “O Canada”, bringing the community together to celebrate the nation’s birthday.

Guests could indulge in free Canada Day cupcakes and $5 food truck coupons from the District of Chetwynd, giving guests the opportunity to enjoy delicious food from the two food trucks that were serving at the event.

Everyone found something to enjoy at the afternoon celebration. The Chetwynd Public Library provided a variety of interactive games and activities for children and families, while the Chetwynd Arts Council invited visitors of all ages to let their creativity flow at a free community painting booth.

The Chetwynd & District Recreation Centre also contributed to the fun with a free popcorn station, temporary Canada Day tattoos and a pinwheel-making booth for fun keepsakes and activities for young attendees.

Children lined up for colourful face painting provided by Tiffany Martin, whose creative designs added even more smiles to the celebration.

An open and inviting display of one of its fire trucks greeted visitors to the Chetwynd Fire Department, giving families a chance to see the vehicle up close, meet local firefighters and learn more about the department’s role in keeping the community safe.

Laughter filled Splash Park all day long as families enjoyed games, activities, tasty food, creative pursuits and precious time together. The event was a testament to the strong community spirit in Chetwynd and the dedication of the many volunteers, organizations, businesses and sponsors who came together to make it another memorable Canada Day Celebration.

Animal lovers also had a special stop to make during the celebrations. K9 Pawsitive Training and Pet Valu joined forces to display some of Chetwynd’s beautiful purebred dogs on the Pet Valu sidewalk from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Visitors learned about responsible pet ownership and canine training while meeting Basset Hounds, Bernese Mountain Dogs, Shetland Sheepdogs and several other breeds.

The buzz of the morning parade to the family friendly activities in the afternoon, Canada Day 2026 was a reminder of what makes Chetwynd a special place to call home – a community that comes together to celebrate, connect and create lasting memories.

Peace FM and ChetTV would like to thank the District of Chetwynd, participating organizations, volunteers, and everyone who attended for making this year's Canada Day celebration a tremendous success. Happy Canada Day! 🇨🇦

More Event Photos visit Peacefm/Chettv Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/share/1K84fUBgY8/?

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CHETWYND, B.C. - On June 29, the community gathered for Chetwynd Pride 2026, an afternoon of celebrating diversity, inclusion and belonging as residents, families, local organizations and community leaders came together.

The event ran from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. and was open to all ages, featuring activities, community resources and the opportunity to connect in a fun and welcoming environment.

Mayor Allen Courtoreille and some members of the Chetwynd District Council were present and celebrated and showed their support towards building an inclusive community where everyone feels welcomed.

One of the event highlights was Chetwynd Pharmachoice, who transformed the area in front of their building into a creative activity space. Face painting, bracelet making and stone painting gave a colourful and artistic touch to the celebration that was enjoyed by families and children.

Several organizations also set up booths and tents, providing information, resources and engaging activities to attendees. Organizations that took part:

• British Columbia’s Office of the Human Rights Commissioner
• Chetwynd Public Library
• Chetwynd Visitor Centre
• North Peace Pride Society
• Tansi Friendship Centre
• Linda Krystina Housing Society

The RCMP also participated in the event, helping ensure a safe and welcoming environment for everyone throughout the afternoon.

Throughout the celebration, attendees enjoyed connecting with local organizations, taking part in activities, and celebrating the values of acceptance, respect, and community spirit.

Chetwynd Pride 2026 highlighted the strength of partnerships between community organizations, volunteers, businesses, and local government, demonstrating how collaboration can create meaningful opportunities to bring people together.

The event served as a reminder that diversity is one of the community’s greatest strengths, and that everyone deserves to feel seen, respected, and valued.

Peace FM and Chet TV were proud to be on site to capture and share the day’s memorable moments with the community.

Event Photos:

https://www.facebook.com/share/1FZqFhia7p/?

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June 29, 2026

BC Nurses Issue 72-hour Strike NoticeHistoric action signals nurses’ growing frustration with pressures facing the profession and health-care system

BC nurses have issued 72-hour strike notice following the rejection of a tentative agreement reached between the Nurses’ Bargaining Association (NBA) and health employers, marking a significant escalation in nurses’ fight for meaningful improvements to the profession.

The decision follows one of the most powerful displays of member unity in BCNU’s history. Between May 8-11, 50,850 nurses participated in a province-wide strike vote, voting 98.2 percent in favour of job action. This pressure led to a tentative agreement reached May 22, which was rejected by 67 percent of members, signalling a growing belief among nurses that the status quo is no longer sustainable.

"This is fundamentally a conversation about priorities,” says BCNU President Adriane Gear. “Nurses want to know why the health authorities continue to spend millions of dollars on costly short-term staffing solutions, while the nurses who are here for the long-term struggling with workload pressures, unsafe working conditions and staffing shortages are being told the cupboards are empty.”

While the tentative agreement saw improvements to benefits and shift premiums, nurses have made it clear it did not go far enough – particularly when it comes to securing a general wage increase that recognizes the vital role nurses play in sustaining a health-care system that is operating beyond its limits. If the employer fails to return to the table with an offer that meaningfully respects the value of their work, nurses could begin job action later this week.

"This is not a step BC nurses want to take,” says NBA Chief Negotiator and BCNU CEO Jim Gould. “However, many have reached the point where they feel they have no choice but to shine a light on the realities they face every day while caring for British Columbians in crowded hospitals, under-staffed long-term care facilities, community health settings and patient’s homes across the province.” BCNU remains committed to reaching a negotiated agreement. Further details regarding next steps will be communicated to the public as they become available.

Source: www.bcnu.org

Other Souces: https://globalnews.ca/news/11943316/bc-nurses-72-hour-strike-notice/

https://www.ctvnews.ca/vancouver/article/bc-nurses-issue-72-hour-strike-notice-after-rejecting-contract-deal/

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