National

Firefighters join B.C. public service job action amid mediated talks

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 22 Oct, 2025 10:21 AM

British Columbia's public service workers' union is expanding its job action even as it takes part in mediated talks with the government to end its dispute.

The B.C. General Employees' Union says in a statement that its members from the BC Wildfire Service and the Ministry of Forests are joining the picket lines.

The wildfire service says there are 94 active wildfires still burning in the province, with 90 per cent of them considered under control, and the union says essential services remain in place to ensure public safety.

The latest escalation means that more than 25,000 of the union's 34,000 members are taking strike action, with over 550 worksites across the province behind picket lines.

The union and government began non-binding talks with veteran mediator Vince Ready over the weekend aimed at resolving the dispute.

The strike is in its eighth week, disrupting hundreds of services to the public, stopping the work of government ministries and squeezing off the supply of liquor and cannabis in the province.

Picture Courtesy: THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ethan Cairns

Prev Next

MORE National ARTICLES

Trudeau says he could have acted faster on immigration changes, blames 'bad actors'

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says the federal government could have acted faster on reining in immigration programs, after blaming "bad actors" for gaming the system. Trudeau released a nearly seven-minute video on YouTube Sunday talking about the recent reduction in permanent residents being admitted to Canada and changes to the temporary foreign worker program.

Trudeau says he could have acted faster on immigration changes, blames 'bad actors'

2 bystanders pepper-sprayed in Metrotown

Mounties in Burnaby say two innocent bystanders were reportedly pepper-sprayed by four teenagers in Burnaby over the weekend. Corporal Mike Kalanj with Burnaby R-C-M-P says officers responded to reports of the assault inside the Metrotown shopping centre on Saturday evening.

2 bystanders pepper-sprayed in Metrotown

Canadians generally optimistic about human rights, despite challenges: poll

Two-thirds of Canadians are optimistic about where human rights are headed in this country, but there is growing pessimism about the state of rights abroad, a new survey found. The Canadian Museum for Human Rights in Winnipeg released its second survey on the topic as it seeks to ensure its exhibits match Canadians' concerns.

Canadians generally optimistic about human rights, despite challenges: poll

Parliament remains gridlocked amid Trump trade talk and postal strike

Parliament closes in on its eighth week of gridlock over a privilege motion, as Canada Post employees are on strike and calls emerge to exclude Mexico from upcoming trade talks. While question period has continued, other house business is on hold due to a Conservative privilege motion calling on the government to turn over unredacted documents on a green technology fund.

Parliament remains gridlocked amid Trump trade talk and postal strike

Police say death of young woman found in Halifax Walmart walk-in oven not suspicious

The death of a young Halifax woman whose body was recently found in a Walmart's walk-in oven was not suspicious and did not involve foul play, police said Monday. The death of the 19-year-old employee in the store's bakery was reported on Oct. 19.

Police say death of young woman found in Halifax Walmart walk-in oven not suspicious

Avian flu detected in additional Abbotsford and Chilliwack flocks: CFIA

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency says it has detected the presence of highly pathogenic avian influenza in commercial poultry at additional locations in two British Columbia cities. The agency says the flu has been detected at two more premises in Abbotsford and Chilliwack, both of which have seen multiple cases since October.