Last week, Premier Christy Clark unveiled new accountability measures targeting public sector organizations aimed at promoting cost-consciousness, accountability, appropriate compensation, service, respect and integrity. The measures apply to all public sector organizations and come as a result of the B.C. government's review of all Crown corporations that began in 2011.

At the same time, Clark issued new mandate letters to her cabinet ministers, providing insight on policy direction over the coming year.

The mandate letters require each minister (and his or her deputy minister) to meet with chairs and boards of public sector organizations and agencies, a move designed to increase accountability. In addition, individual ministries have been tasked with promoting specific initiatives in the government's agenda. For example: the Ministry of Health is tasked with finalizing the St. Paul's and Royal Columbian Hospital revitalization plans; the Ministry of Justice has been asked to change the liquor laws; the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure is to present a 10-year Transportation Plan by the end of September, and the Ministry of Finance is tasked with implementing tax legislation for the province's LNG industry. Individual mandate letters can be found online here.

The BCTF has announced plans to launch a full-scale strike after teachers voted in favour of a complete work stoppage last week. Of the 33,387 teachers who voted, 86 per cent supported a full-scale walkout. They are seeking wage increases and changes to class composition.

In response, the Labour Relations Board (LRB) ruled that provincial exams for Grades 10 through 12, along with final marks for Grade 12 students - among other provisions - are essential services. As such, school districts will be required to determine the number of teachers necessary to supervise provincial exams and enter final grades. The LRB ruling also blocks teachers from picketing in front of in areas where exams occur.

The B.C. Public School Employers' Association, which negotiates on behalf of the Province, has said that they will lift the lockout to allow summer school to proceed. Though the BCTF states it remains committed to reaching a deal with government, it is not clear whether BCTF job action will result in the cancelation of summer school classes. 

This weekly report produced for the BC Chamber of Commerce by Fleishman-Hillard.  While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information included in this publication as of the date of issue, events and government policies are subject to frequent change.  Therefore, the BC Chamber of Commerce and Fleishman-Hillard cannot assume any responsibility for actions taken solely or principally on the basis on the information contained herein.