BC Health Coalition members join LifeLabs Solidarity Actions across B.C.

In a strong show of support for LifeLabs workers, Coalition member - patients joined with the BCGEU to highlight ongoing job action and petition the Premier to cancel contracts with U.S.-based Quest Diagnostics.

When LifeLabs was quietly bought by Quest Diagnostics in August of 2024, our government made no objections. Because the deal fell below the threshold which would have required a federal review, there was inadequate consideration of what this could mean to health care workers and patients across the country with regard to the protection of medical records and personal data, as well as safeguarding the quality and breadth of tests being offered.

The fact that the majority of diagnostics testing in B.C. is done through a privately-owned U.S.-based corporation has been a revelation to many people across the province.

There was an outpouring of support from BC Health Coalition members, with people joining five regional virtual organizing calls and showing up in person to rallies in Kamloops, Prince George, Nanaimo, Burnaby, and Victoria.

Solidarity Actions:

Prince George Rally, April 3

Burnaby Rally, April 6

Nanaimo Rally, April 11

Victoria Rally, April 16

BCHC Speaker Lineup

Coalition Steering Committee members Colleen Fuller, Leslie Gaudette and Barbara Mitchell-Pollock spoke at the Burnaby and Victoria events on behalf of patients standing in solidarity with LifeLabs workers, and BCHC Policy and Campaigns Director Ayendri Riddell read a statement calling on government to take action in accordance with the Premier's recent directive regarding American contracts. 

Barbara Mitchell-Pollock also delivered an open letter from BCHC leadership to Premier David Eby during Question Period in the legislature that day.