VICTORIA – New Democrat Seniors Critic Katrine Conroy and Health Critic Adrian Dix say the B.C. Liberal government is to blame for the lay-offs of care aides in the Lower Mainland.

“In the Campbell government’s first term they passed two pieces of legislation that left health care workers vulnerable,” said Conroy, the MLA for West Kootenay-Boundary. “Care aides are health professionals that care for our mothers, fathers and grandparents – they are not a disposable piece of our health care system, yet the Campbell government is treating them as such.”

Yesterday, Simpe Q Care Inc. announced that 450 care aides were given termination notice at three long-term care facilities in the Lower Mainland. Because of Bill 29 and 92, which excluded health care workers from key B.C. Labour Code protections, the private contractors can fire employees without ramifications – any time.

Conroy said the public have seen the impact Gordon Campbell’s attitude towards health care workers across the province. “In Nanaimo, for example, front line care staff at the Nanaimo Seniors Village have been fired and hired five times in the last three years,” said Conroy. “Under the Liberal agenda, if a sub-contractor doesn’t like the wages being paid to workers, they can just fire them and then re-hire at a lower wage.

Adrian Dix, the MLA for Vancouver-Kingsway, said that the government is showing complete disrespect for care aides. “Such treatment will do nothing to encourage people to enter this important field of work. In fact, it sends the wrong signal to people considering a career as a health professional.”

“We know that the province has a looming shortage of health care professionals, including care aides,” said Dix. “According to the Vancouver Coastal Health Authority, by 2015 the region will have 75 per cent fewer bedside care aides than it needs.”

“Instability for employees at long-term care facilities just means instability for the seniors they care for,” said Dix.

“By not repealing the legislation that allows for such abuse of workers rights the Campbell government is condoning, even promoting, such outrageous treatment of health care workers - workers who are an integral part of providing high quality care to seniors in this province.

Dix said that the Health Minister must admit that Bill 29 and 92 are mistakes and repeal the two pieces of legislation. “Getting rid of the harmful legislation is the right thing to do. I certainly hope the Minister has the courage to admit his mistake and do the right thing for seniors and workers.”