The B.C. legislature is seen from the front lawn in Victoria, on May 8, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito

VICTORIA — Thousands of union members representing different sectors filled the lawn outside the British Columbia legislature as politicians inside began the fall session.

The return of the legislature comes as the strike of the B.C. General Employees' Union enters its sixth week, and president Paul Finch says the rally "is just the beginning" of escalating job action.

Finch says today's protest was organized to coincide with the return of the legislature to show the "resolve" of union members, which will continue until they gets a "fair deal."

Talks between the union and government resumed briefly last week, while pickets remain up around government buildings, numerous government liquor and cannabis stores and their distribution warehouses.

Finch says his union members are already starting to "withdraw" support for the B.C. New Democrats, in a further push to force the government back to the table with a "reasonable offer."

Finance Minister Brenda Bailey says the government respects the rights of workers to strike, and hopes to get back to the bargaining table soon.

She says government has presented a "reasonable offer," adding that her job is to find an agreement that is "both fair to these workers but also fair to the taxpayers in British Columbia."

Finch and Bailey spoke just hours after the provincial legislature returned in the fall session with four official parties, two independents, and the expectation of searing political debate.

The One BC party will join New Democrats, Conservatives and Greens as the latest official party, and interim Leader Dallas Brodie says the session is going to be "fiery" as she and her colleague Tara Armstrong ask questions that other politicians are afraid to ask.

Brodie and Armstrong formed One BC in early June following a schism between them and B.C. Conservative Leader John Rustad.

The Conservatives are down four members since last October's election, with the latest coming in September, when Elenore Sturko was ousted shortly after Rustad passed a leadership review with almost 71 per cent support.

Sturko is sitting as an Independent, alongside MLA Jordan Kealy, who was also elected as a Conservative last year.

All 47 MLAs of the governing NDP are returning to the legislature, while the two B.C. Greens, Jeremy Valeriote and Rob Botterell, will be doing their jobs under the new leadership of climate activist Emily Lowan, who does not have a seat in the legislature.

House Leader Mike Farnworth says the government plans to table and pass 18 pieces of legislation focused on growing the economy and protecting health care between now and Nov. 27, when the session wraps up.

Conservative House Leader A'a:liya Warbus says her party will use the session to hold government accountable on public safety issues, rising homelessness and the related issues of addiction and overdose deaths.

Warbus also questioned whether government is going to be able rein in its rising deficit, currently forecasted to be $11.6 billion.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 6, 2025.

News from © The Canadian Press, 2025