For Immediate Release: November 29, 2023
VICTORIA – The BCPS Employees for Freedom Society (BCPSEF) is pleased to announce a class action lawsuit has been launched by representative plaintiff and BCPSEF member, Jason Baldwin, on behalf of all unionized employees of the B.C. Public Service over the Province of B.C.’s proof of COVID-19 vaccination mandate imposed on provincial government employees in November 2021. The plaintiff’s claim is against the Province of B.C. and British Columbia’s Provincial Health Officer, Dr. Bonnie Henry.
The plaintiff has filed this action because the Province’s COVID-19 employee vaccine mandate, enacted by executive order of the provincial Cabinet, was contrary to public service employees’ Charter rights and violated their medical privacy and bodily autonomy.
Although the action has been launched by one plaintiff, it is being brought on behalf of all unionized employees of the BC Public Service harmed by the Province’s vaccine mandate. As such, it has the potential to assert the rights of tens of thousands of unionized public servants in British Columbia.
The action claims the Public Health Officer committed the tort of misfeasance by:
- having no basis in fact to justify the information, data, and advice she provided and upon which the Province relied to develop its employee vaccination policy, and
- wilfully or recklessly ignored known potential risks of adverse events associated with the COVID-19 vaccination in providing advice to the Province.
The action further claims the Province violated employees’ rights under s.2d — freedom of association — of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, and that forced disclosure of private medical information violated common law and statutory privacy rights.
The plaintiff seeks compensation through an award for aggravated and punitive damages. The plaintiff has retained counsel Umar Sheikh of Sheikh Law to represent him in this matter.
United We Stand
BCPS Employees for Freedom is a non-partisan public-service employee group and registered not-for-profit society seeking an amicable solution on behalf of its members with their employer. The group is a growing association of public servants from a wide range of professional backgrounds and disciplines, and includes both management and regular employees. Collectively, we have thousands of years of faithful public service behind us, and we look forward to performing many more. We are trying to resolve our current employment situation by writing and communicating with our employer, public officials and the public, and undertaking legal action only as a last resort.
Media inquiries concerning the BCPSEF’s support of this plaintiff can be directed to media@bcpsforfreedom.com
2 Comments
Mark · December 3, 2023 at 10:25 am
Best of luck to all of you. We need to put a stop to all future mandates and draconian measures, especially when we all know that the measures are more harmful than the disease itself.
Maria Bailey · November 29, 2023 at 11:03 am
Thank you all for your hard work, determination and integrity.