This is an archive of news stories and research from the National Union of Public and General Employees. Please see our new site - https://nupge.ca - for the most current information.
"The links between organized crime, fentanyl and money laundering leading to skyrocketing real estate prices in B.C. cannot go unexamined." — Stephanie Smith, BCGEU President
Burnaby (22 Jan. 2019) — The BC Government and Service Employees' Union (BCGEU/NUPGE) began a campaign calling on the provincial government to launch a public inquiry into organized crime, opioids and money laundering in B.C. The campaign follows the union's call for an inquiry and its subsequent letter to the government in December 2018.
Public inquiry best way to learn the truth
Following the collapse of the E-pirate investigation — an RCMP money-laundering probe that started in 2015 — a public inquiry is the best way to learn the truth about a crisis that has claimed thousands of lives and has made B.C. the most unaffordable province to live in.
Neither Attorney General David Eby nor Premier Horgan have ruled out the possibility of calling for a public inquiry into the crisis, and the BCGEU/NUPGE is hoping that public support will push the government to act on this vital issue.
"British Columbians deserve answers so that those responsible can be held accountable, but also so we can take meaningful action to safeguard our communities from further harm."
BCGEU/NUPGE members thrust into first-responder roles
The effects of this multi-layered crisis have reached every corner of the province and have impacted the union's members in a number of ways. BCGEU/NUPGE members from health care, social services, libraries, and casinos, and deputy sheriffs and correctional officers have been thrust into first-responder roles on the front lines of the opioid crisis. In response to this situation, the BCGEU/NUPGE launched a province-wide education and training initiative in 2017: Stop the Fentanyl Crisis.
At their 2017 Convention, BCGEU/NUPGE members passed multiple resolutions calling for action on the housing affordability crisis as well. In response, the union launched its Affordable BC campaign in late 2017, with particular focus on the issues affecting urban centres like Vancouver, Victoria and Kelowna.
"Our union has been working hard to support members as they face the challenges of both the opioid and housing crises, but it's time to take the next step. We need to have a public inquiry," says Smith. "Together, we can, and we must, put a stop to this and restore the rule of law in our province."
The union's campaign asks the public to sign the petition to show Premier Horgan that they support an inquiry into organized crime, opioids and money laundering in B.C.