Media Contacts

Ministry of Health

Communications
250 952-1887

Andrew.Leyne

Island Health
Media Inquiries
Andrew.Leyne@viha.ca
250 370-8878

Backgrounders

What people are saying about repatriating service contracts

Mable Elmore, Parliamentary Secretary for Seniors Services and Long Term Care —

“How do we care for those who provide services for our cherished family members, including our seniors and Elders, in health facilities? We show them respect, honour and dignity for their work. I am pleased to welcome the housekeeping and food service workers back to Island Health today, and am grateful for their dedication in providing the essential services and care to British Columbians.”

Lana Popham, MLA for Saanich South —

“Workers in hospitals and health-care facilities do critical work supporting patient health and they deserve job protection and stability. We rely on their help to make these sites as safe and clean as possible and bringing these workers back in-house is a move in the right direction.”

Murray Rankin, MLA for Oak Bay-Gordon Head —

“We recognize and value workers in health facilities who support patient care every day and that’s why our government is bringing them back in-house. These workers serve us all. Like everyone else, they deserve good working conditions, job stability and fair wages.”

Grace Lore, MLA for Victoria-Beacon Hill —

“Bill 29 and Bill 94 predominantly affected women and, in particular, racialized women in our communities. That’s why bringing these workers back in-house is critical to building an equitable system. We’re taking steps to make real changes that protect and enhance the benefits, wages and positions these workers deserve for doing excellent work within the health system.”

Rob Fleming, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure and MLA for Victoria-Swan Lake —

“This positions B.C. as a leader who understands the importance of equity and fairness in the workplace. These health workers have kept people safe, including throughout COVID-19, and they deserve the better working conditions and job protections that this move will bring.”

Mitzi Dean, MLA for Esquimalt-Metchosin —

“We should be taking care of those who care for us in health facilities, and by bringing these workers back in-house, we are building a stronger health system in B.C. that works for all people. We respect what these workers do for patient wellness, and it’s only right that they enjoy benefits and privileges as workers in-house for health authorities.”

Leah Hollins, board chair, Island Health —

“We are proud to begin repatriation of contracts for some of our support services, including food services and housekeeping. People who work in these important roles supporting patient care are valued members of the health-care team. We look forward to welcoming them to Island Health.”

Meena Brisard, secretary-business manager, Hospital Employees’ Union —

“A reunited health-care team is fairer for workers and will deliver better care for patients. By bringing these workers back in house, the provincial government is reversing nearly two decades of privatization that fragmented our public health-care system and devastated the working lives of thousands health-care workers, most of whom are women or racialized workers.”

Nirmal Kang, food service worker, Glengarry Hospital —

“After nine years of working in health care for a private company, I look forward to being recognized for the important work that I do. It will make such a difference for my day-to-day job to know that I’m working as part of the same team as everyone in my facility. Working on the public health-care team, under the health authority, will mean better protection and benefits for me and my co-workers, something that we need especially after COVID.”

Workers and contracts being repatriated at Island Health

Workers being repatriated at Island Health

Contractor: Marquise
Repatriation contract timelines: Nov. 26, 2021

  • Saanich Peninsula Hospital: 36 housekeeping, 26 food services
  • Queen Alexandra Centre for Children’s Health: 10 housekeeping, three food services
  • Glengarry Hospital: 19 housekeeping, 15 food services
  • Aberdeen Hospital: 16 housekeeping, 14 food services
  • Gorge Road Hospital: 27 housekeeping, 18 food services
  • Priory (Hiscock and Heritage Woods) long-term care: 17 housekeeping, 16 food services
  • Non-contracted staff: 18

Contractor: Morrison
Repatriation contract timelines: February 2022

  • Royal Jubilee Hospital: 96 food services
  • Victoria General Hospital: 98 food services

Contractor: Crothall
Repatriation contract timelines: April and May 2022

  • Nanaimo Regional General Hospital: 150 housekeeping
  • Dufferin Place: 12 housekeeping
  • Cowichan District Hospital: 26 housekeeping
  • Cairnsmore Place: 11 housekeeping
  • Victoria General Hospital 149 housekeeping

Contractor: Acciona
Repatriation contract timelines: June 2022

  • Royal Jubilee Hospital: 169 housekeeping

Contracts to be repatriated by health authority

Fraser Health:

  • Contractor - Sodexo: 297 full-time equivalent (FTE) housekeeping and 63 FTE mixed services
  • Contractor - Aramark: 214 FTE housekeeping
  • Contractor - Compass: 132 FTE mixed services

Provincial Health Services Authority:

  • Contractor - Compass: 91 FTE housekeeping and 47 FTE patient/retail food services (two contracts same service, same provider, across multiple facilities)
  • Contractor - SerVantage: 25 FTE housekeeping

Vancouver Coastal Health/Providence Health Care:

  • Contractor - Compass: 12 FTE patient food services, 736 FTE housekeeping and 13 FTE mixed services (two contracts same service, same provider, across multiple facilities)
  • Contractor - Sodexo: 538 FTE patient/retail food services (five contracts same service, same provider, across multiple facilities)