Surrey, BC – A rally was held outside Surrey Memorial Hospital today, April 17, 2025, as the Hospital Employees’ Union (HEU) demands justice for migrant healthcare workers facing deportation. Over 500 healthcare workers in the Fraser and Coastal regions are at risk of deportation due to federal cuts to the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP).
The HEU is calling on the federal government to take urgent action to restore PNP spots in British Columbia and create a dedicated pathway to permanent residency for non-clinical healthcare workers employed by B.C.’s health authorities.
According to Lynn Bueckert, HEU secretary-business manager, the migrant workers are “Canadian in every way that matters – except on paper,” highlighting their essential contributions to the healthcare system.
The rally featured testimony from affected HEU members and union leaders, emphasizing the need for federal support to prevent deportations and ensure the workers’ rights.
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