Open Letter Calls on BC Government to Fully Bring LifeLabs into the Public System
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- Published on Sunday, 29 November -0001 16:00
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Open Letter Calls on BC Government to Fully Bring LifeLabs into the Public System
April 16, 2025
This morning, we issued an open letter calling on the provincial government to end its contract with U.S.-owned Quest Diagnostics, which now controls LifeLabs—B.C.’s primary provider of outpatient laboratory services.
“We are asking David Eby to follow through on the directive issued last week and review and cancel the contract with Quest Diagnostics,” said Ayendri, Director of Policy and Campaigns with the BC Health Coalition
Steering Committee and the Council of Canadians. “They’re not just defending their rights—they’re standing up for every British Columbian who relies on a strong, public health care system. They’re defending our services, and I thank them.”
A government-commissioned review from the 1990s, known as the Kilshaw Report, found that operating parallel lab systems—one public, one private—leads to inefficiencies, unnecessary bureaucracy, and higher costs. Subsequent research has shown that these issues have only worsened in the decades since.
A fully integrated, public system would reduce wait times, save public money, improve working conditions, and deliver better service.
The Coalition calls on the BC government to:
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Immediately review and terminate contracts with Quest Diagnostics.
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Implement a workforce strategy ensuring wage parity, improved safety, and solutions to chronic short-staffing.
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End the fee-for-service model for private labs.
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Fully reintegrate outpatient lab services into B.C.’s hospital-based public system.
Solidarity Rally Details
When: Wednesday, April 16, 2025 (10 AM – NOON)
Where: Meet at 10 am at the cross-streets of View and Government. March and rally at the Legilslature Lawn: 501 Belleville St., Victoria, B.C.
Who: Striking BCGEU members working at LifeLabs joined by BCGEU union leaders, the BC Health Coalition and other supporters. BCGEU president Paul Finch; Ayendri Riddell, Director of Policy and Campaigns from the BC Health Coalition; Leslie Gaudette, a LifeLabs patient and president of Council of Senior Citizens' Organizations of BC; and a LifeLabs bargaining committee member will be available for interviews with media.
British Columbia Health Coalition · 3102 Main St, 302,
Vancouver, Unceded Coast Salish Territories, BC V5T 3G7, Canada
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