This town hall is part of government's consultation process for choosing either the second or third Monday in February to be the new official statutory holiday beginning in 2013 - Family Day.

On Tuesday, May 15, between noon and 1 p.m., British Columbians have the opportunity to tell MacDiarmid directly, in real time, which day will work best for them. Citizens can tweet their opinions about which day is best by using this hashtag: #mybcfd

Between May 8 and May 22, government is engaging with the public, and consulting with worker groups, employers, the tourism industry and the broader business sector to ensure all potential economic and social benefits are taken into account before finalizing a February date for the new holiday.

Quick Facts:

• Parts of the consultation process are scheduled from May 8 to May 22, 2012.
• Citizens can share their thoughts at: http://blog.gov.bc.ca/bcfamilyday/
•  or on Facebook or Twitter using: #mybcfd

• With the addition of Family Day in 2013, British Columbia will have 10 statutory holidays.
• In 2012, British Columbia, families had a long stretch between New Year's Day and the Easter Break without a long weekend - almost 100 days.
• Family Day is celebrated in Alberta, Saskatchewan and Ontario on the third Monday in February.
• Manitoba and Prince Edward Island also have statutory holidays on the third Monday in February, which are not officially referred to as Family Day.
• On a statutory holiday, eligible employees can be given the day off work paid at their regular rate of pay. If they work, they must be paid at premium rates of pay, plus receive another day's regular wage.
• Employers and individual employees or the majority of employees can agree to substitute another day off with pay instead of the designated statutory holiday.

To Learn More:

Visit the Ministry of Labour, Citizens' Services and Open Government: www.gov.bc.ca/citz

Contact:

Jason Macnaughton
Communications Manager
Ministry of Labour, Citizens' Services and Open Government
250 387-0172

Whether families choose to enjoy a local tourist attraction, a visit to a park, a meal out, a day of skiing or just to spend time with their loved ones, celebrating Family Day will be a great chance for families to spend quality time together starting February 2013 - and British Columbians now have the opportunity to tell government which day will work best for them.

Government will begin a citizen engagement process with the public, and consult with worker groups, employers, the tourism industry and the broader business sector in order to ensure all potential economic and social benefits are taken into account before finalizing a February date for the new holiday.

By having Family Day on the third Monday in February, British Columbians will share the same day with five other Canadian provinces, and with the United States' President's Day. By having it on the second Monday, British Columbians will be able to enjoy not only ski hills, but also parks and other local attractions throughout the Province without other long-weekend traffic.

Since unveiling its Open Government plan in 2011, the Province has implemented a number of new policies and programs including the launch of the Open Information and DataBC websites, as well as a major redesign of the government's web presence to make it more citizen-focused and user-friendly. In the coming months, B.C. will introduce a new public engagement website to better communicate and collaborate with British Columbians.

Quotes:

Minister of Labour, Citizens' Services and Open Government Margaret MacDiarmid -

"Supporting B.C. families is a priority for our government, and the new Family Day holiday is just another example of how we're helping grow stronger families and communities all across the province."

Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Innovation Pat Bell -

"Every B.C. family is unique, but one thing we all share in common is we're some of the hardest workers around. By waiting to implement the holiday until 2013, and consulting on the best timing of the holiday, we'll ensure we find the most appropriate date, and maximize the benefit to families and to business."

Marilee Peters, acting executive director, B.C. Council for Families -

"B.C.'s new Family Day is a chance to celebrate the wonderful diversity of families in our province, and the contribution that our loved ones make to our lives and our communities."

"Giving families this opportunity to spend time with one another is so valuable, especially now when our lives are increasingly busy and hectic. Family Day can be a chance for us all to take a moment to reflect on the importance of family, and to think about how we can make time for family throughout the year."

Marianne Drew-Pennington, executive director B.C. Association of Family Resource Programs -

"Research indicates that families have the greatest influence on children's development and designating a day in their honour validates moms, dads and all those raising kids across the province. We applaud the provincial government for acknowledging the contribution of this often overlooked and overworked group who are integral to B.C.'s future."

Lana Denoni, chair, Tourism Industry Association of B.C. -

"There are so many things for families in British Columbia to explore and often so little time to do so. Simultaneously, Family Day provides a branding opportunity for the tourism industry by reinforcing the message to Stay and Play on Family Day."

"By enjoying a vacation in the province, families are supporting local businesses and contributing to B.C.'s economy, while at the same time discovering why British Columbia is super natural."

Stuart McLaughlin, chair, Minister's Council on Tourism and president, Grouse Mountain Resorts -

"The resort industry across British Columbia is pleased to support the introduction of a winter holiday for B.C. families. It is proven that many enterprises benefit from the adjacent jurisdictions celebrating their own February weekend. Holding our own will enable families throughout the Province to share valuable recreation time on our mountains and throughout the community."

B.C. Family Day will be a welcome boost to our thriving recreation industry, will support jobs and will facilitate growth."

Quick Facts:

• The consultation process will begin May 8 and close May 22 this year.

• Citizens can share their thoughts at: http://blog.gov.bc.ca/bcfamilyday/ or on Facebook or Twitter using: #mybcfd

• With the addition of Family Day in 2013, the province will have ten statutory holidays.

• In 2012, British Columbia, families had a long stretch between New Year's Day and the Easter Break without a long weekend - 94 days.

• Family Day is celebrated in Alberta, Saskatchewan and Ontario on the third Monday in February.

• Manitoba and P.E.I. also have statutory holidays on the third Monday in February, but they are not officially referred to as Family Day.

• On a statutory holiday, eligible employees can be given the day off work paid at their regular rate of pay. If they work, they must be paid at premium rates of pay plus receive another day's regular wage.

• Employers and individual employees or the majority of employees can agree to substitute another day off with pay instead of the designated statutory holiday.

To Learn More:

Visit the Ministry of Labour, Citizens' Services and Open Government: www.gov.bc.ca/citz

Contact:

Jason Macnaughton
Communications Manager
Ministry of Labour, Citizens' Services and Open Government
250 387-0172

At the same time, the minimum wage rate for liquor servers will increase to $9.00 per hour.

This is the third increase to the minimum wage over the past year, and follows on Premier Christy Clark's commitment in March 2011 to increase minimum wage in three stages to $10.25 per hour by May 1, 2012, providing more support for B.C. workers and families in every region of the province.

Non-hourly rates paid to camp leaders, live-in home support workers and resident caretakers will be adjusted at the same time in proportion to the increase in minimum wage.

Quotes:

Minister of Labour, Citizens' Services and Open Government Margaret MacDiarmid -

"British Columbians who made $8.00 per hour last year, could now have more than an additional $4,000 in their pockets this year. That's good news for individuals and families- and that's good news for the economy."

"By listening to employers, giving them lots of advance notice, and staging the increase in small increments over the past year, we were also able to help businesses plan effectively for the change."

Lucia Orser, UVIC Students Society, director external relations -

"I'm very pleased with the increase. Over half of minimum wage earners are young people aged 15 to 24 - many of them students."

"This increase in minimum wage will help to support them as they prepare and plan for funding their post-secondary education."

Andrew Klukas, acting president, Western Convenience Stores Association -

"I appreciate the openness of the consultation process, and the certainty for our sector from incremental and predictable minimum wage increases."

Learn More:

If you earn the general minimum wage, liquor servers' rate or get paid by piece rate, you can find out how these changes may affect you at: http://www.labour.gov.bc.ca/esb/announcements/min_wage.htm.

A backgrounder follows.

Contacts:

Jason Macnaughton
Manager Communications
Ministry of Labour, Citizens' Services and Open Government
250 387-0172

Lucia Orser
Director, External Relations
UVIC Students Society
250 744-8157

Andrew Klukas
Acting President
Western Convenience Stores Association
778 987-4440

BACKGROUNDER

May 1, 2012 Ministry of Labour, Citizens' Services and Open Government

Information about B.C.'s minimum wage

On March 16, 2011, Premier Christy Clark announced an incremental increase to the minimum wage in British Columbia.

General Minimum Wage

Prior to May 1, 2011 $8.00/hour

May 1, 2011 $8.75

Nov. 1, 2011 $9.50

May 1, 2012 $10.25

• The First Job wage was repealed on May 1, 2011. All workers except those noted below must be paid at least the general minimum wage rate.

Alcohol server wage for liquor servers

Prior to May 1, 2011 $8.00/hour

May 1, 2011 $8.50

Nov. 1, 2011 $8.75

May 1, 2012 $9.00

• The alcohol server wage applies to employees who serve liquor directly to customers or guests in licensed premises as a regular part of their work.

Alternate minimum pay provisions

• Camp leaders, live-in home support workers and resident caretakers will receive corresponding increases on a percentage basis.

Wondering about your rights or responsibilities in the workplace? The Employment Standards Branch can provide assistance in person, online at http://www.labour.gov.bc.ca/esb/ or through a toll-free number (1 800 663-3316). Information about employee rights is available in English, French, Chinese, Punjabi, Hindi, Filipino and Spanish.

Contacts:

Jason Macnaughton
Manager Communications
Ministry of Labour, Citizens' Services and Open Government
250 387-0172

Lucia Orser
Director, External Relations
UVIC Students Society
250 744-8157

Andrew Klukas
Acting President
Western Convenience Stores Association
778 987-4440 

The nature of the work done by emergency personnel means they are at a higher risk of coming into contact with other peoples' bodily substances. This puts them in a situation where they can be exposed to serious communicable diseases like HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C.

The Emergency Intervention Disclosure Act will:

• Enable emergency workers and Good Samaritans to get a court order to require individuals to give a bodily fluid sample, if one is not given voluntarily.
• Protect privacy by assuring information is shared in confidence only.
• Set penalties for non-compliance of testing orders and privacy provisions.
• Establish a presumption of disease exposure for first responders seeking workers' compensation benefits.

Quotes:

Margaret MacDiarmid, Minister of Labour, Citizens' Services and Open Government -

"First responders put their lives on the line every day to keep the people of British Columbia safe, so it's important we support them in every way we can.

"This legislation will give workers and their families the peace of mind they deserve."

Norm Letnick, MLA, Kelowna-Lake Country -

"It has been a privilege to have worked with my local and provincial firefighters and paramedics over the past three years on this bill. This bill improves the balance between the right to privacy of individuals and the right to know among those who may be impacted by the transfer of bodily fluids."

Tom Stamatakis, president, Canadian Police Association and Vancouver Police Union -

"This bill will provide assistance to maintaining the safety of not only police officers, but all front-line officers. It is important to identify that this bill also protects the general public's right to privacy."

Bronwyn Barter, president, Ambulance Paramedics of BC -

"Our paramedics and partners in police and fire are exposed to needle-stick injuries or blood splashes routinely, and not being able to find out in a timely manner whether or not you've been exposed to a blood-borne illness can cause a great deal of stress. We have the right to know."

"We appreciate the work the entire house has done on this issue - it's an example of truly putting workers' safety first."

Michael Hurley, president, B.C. Professional Fire Fighters Association -

"This act is designed to protect the emergency responders who without hesitation and on a daily basis will put themselves in harm's way to protect every citizen in the province. This lets responders in B.C. be protected with the same rights as other Canadian Provinces. The BCPFFA thanks the government, and especially MLA Norm Letnick for recognizing the importance of this bill and for moving it forward."

Quick Facts:

• Here's an example of when this legislation might apply: A paramedic attends a car crash and cuts his arm on the wreckage while assisting injured passengers. During this time, the blood of an injured passenger comes in contact with the paramedic's open wound. If the individual refuses to give a blood sample for testing, the paramedic could use this legislation to obtain one.
• Health-care officials report the vast majority of people already agree to be voluntarily tested. However, in cases where they do not, this legislation will ensure first responders get the information they need.
• Similar legislation exists in six other provinces: Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec and Nova Scotia.
• Regulations will be developed to test for HIV, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C.
• Between 1987 and 2011, WorkSafeBC accepted 227 claims for Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C and HIV exposures. Of those claims, 47 were from first responders.

Contact:

Jason Macnaughton
Communications Manager
Ministry of Labour, Citizens' Services and Open Government
250 387-0172

In early 2011, government initiated a stakeholder engagement process to discuss the Employment Standards Act, which included representatives from agriculture producers and worker advocates. During that process, it was determined that there was a need to review piece rates for hand harvesters.

On May 1, 2011, piece rates were increased in proportion to the increase in the general minimum wage - by 9.375 per cent. Following that increase, a review on piece rates was undertaken by government.

The review found that:

• Overall, many hand harvesters of crops subject to the minimum piece rates earn well above the general minimum hourly wage. For example, the average wage for cherry harvesters is $18.50 per hour. For apples, it is $15.43.
• For the blueberry sector, the largest sector in the Lower Mainland, the average wage is $9.91 per hour.
• The demographics of the workforce are quite different between the Interior and Lower Mainland. In the Lower Mainland, a high proportion of workers are over age 55, which may be a factor in the lower average earnings for Lower Mainland crops.
• A decision to maintain current piece rates would more likely preserve hand-harvesting jobs in the Lower Mainland by reducing the incentive for producers to use machine harvesting or other sources of labour.

The B.C. government is committed to protecting the health and safety of farm workers.

This decision to maintain current piece rates strikes a balance to preserve jobs and businesses that B.C. families depend upon.

The farm labour team will continue to conduct site visits and payroll audits, participate in roadside vehicle inspections and conduct education sessions with employers and employees.

The report can be found at: http://www.gov.bc.ca/citz/reports_publications.html

Contact:

Jason Macnaughton
Communications Manager
Ministry of Labour, Citizens' Services and Open Government
250 387-0172

In his report, Trevor Hughes found it very unlikely that BCTF and BCPSEA will be able to reach a voluntary settlement of their collective bargaining dispute. Despite almost one year of negotiations and more than 75 face-to-face sessions, the parties have not been able to narrow the outstanding issues. Hughes makes observations about process and substance issues on which the parties are apart, including the government's "net zero" mandate and the BCTF's demand for a 15 per cent wage increase over three years.

The report was delivered to MacDiarmid this morning, who reviewed it before providing it to Education Minister George Abbott and the parties. Based on the contents of the report, Abbott will determine next steps government may take in the dispute.

Abbott requested an expert labour relations assessment of the situation on Feb. 9, 2012 as a result of concerns about the impact of the outstanding dispute on students and the collaboration needed to create supportive learning environments. MacDiarmid appointed Hughes to conduct an inquiry, meet with the parties, and report back by Feb. 23, 2012.

You can read the report at: http://www.gov.bc.ca/citz/reports_publications.html

Contact:

Melody Wey
Ministry of Labour, Citizens' Services and Open Government
250 508-5030

The Province earned the award for work done to develop and implement B.C.'s Open Government policy, and recognizes the Province's outstanding leadership and contributions to advancements in public policy and management.

Announced in July 2011, and written into law through amendments to the Freedom of Information and Privacy Protection Act in the fall of 2011, B.C.'s Open Government initiatives have resulted in government sharing more information with its citizens, and have provided more opportunities for them to participate in decisions that make a difference in their lives.

B.C. has made a number of innovative changes as a result of Open Government, including being the first province to open up thousands of datasets via the DataBC website. Since DataBC’s launch, more than 2,600 datasets have been released. This data is free, searchable and available for anyone to use and repurpose.

The Province has also hosted a series of hackathons, encouraging and challenging developers to use the data available to come up with useful applications for the public, and recently launched its first official mobile application, the BC Health Service Locator app.

The IPAC awards recognize leaders showing major organizational transformation and outstanding performance. Criteria include courage, execution, impact, collaboration, innovation, results and whether the project can be replicated in other jurisdictions. This year IPAC received nearly 100 submissions from across Canada.

The Province is committed to the evolution of B.C's ongoing Open Government transformation, including increasing levels of transparency, innovation and improved service delivery.

Full award details are available at: www.ipac.ca

Contact:

Melody Wey
Ministry of Labour, Citizens' Services and Open Government
250 508-5030

The minister appointed Trevor Hughes to inquire into the dispute in response to a request from Education Minister George Abbott. Hughes has been with the labour ministry since October 2008 after gaining 16 years of direct collective bargaining and labour relations experience in the broader public sector. The industrial relations division of the ministry monitors and, when requested, offers assistance in collective bargaining disputes that impact the public interest.

Hughes will meet with the parties over the next two weeks and provide a report to MacDiarmid by Thursday, Feb. 23.

Contact:

Melody Wey
Ministry of Labour, Citizens' Services and Open Government
250 508-5030