A recent letter from the head of the Public Service Alliance of Canada’s British Columbia regional branch urges union members to support the BC NDP over the BC Conservatives in the upcoming provincial election.
Some members are expressing frustration with PSAC over what they see as a misuse of union funds and a violation of political neutrality by a union representing federal workers.
The letter, signed by Jamey Mills, regional executive vice-president of PSAC, was obtained by True North from an anonymous union member. The source, fearing retaliation, requested anonymity due to concerns of reprisal from union leadership.
In the letter, Mills openly endorses the BC NDP, writing: “This October I will be voting for the BC NDP candidate in my riding, and I personally encourage all PSAC members to do the same. We are all in this together, and we should vote for the party who will work for working people.”
In response to the letter, BC Conservative press secretary Shon Amayev told True North that the provincial party was committed to improving life for workers.
“Despite campaigning on key issues, the BC NDP has failed on every front under David Eby’s leadership. PSAC is correct that this election is too critical to risk another term with such failures,” said Amayev.
“We remain committed to being a workers’ party, advocating for and respecting workers’ rights, aiming to construct an economy and province that genuinely improves life for workers, families and all British Columbians, in stark contrast to the BC NDP’s record.”
In his letter, Mills acknowledges that his position as a senior union leader might invite criticism for taking such a partisan stance but defends his decision anyway.
“Some folks tell me as the Regional Executive Vice-President for our Region, I shouldn’t put out a ‘hardline’ stance on the provincial election. But I want to be honest with you, the PSAC members in BC. This election is too important not to talk about what’s at stake if the wrong party is elected,” writes Mills.
He goes on to praise the BC NDP for its pro-union policies and expansion of government jobs and Crown corporations. Mills also warns PSAC members that federal Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre is closely watching the BC election, alleging that a BC Conservative victory in the province could serve as a testing ground for broader cuts to public services at the federal level.
“You might think that provincial politics don’t affect you as a PSAC member since the majority of our membership is federally regulated. Well, you can bet Pierre Poilievre and his party are watching BC very carefully to see what’s possible when a conservative government is elected,” writes Mills.
When sharing the letter with True North, the PSAC union member raised concerns about whether the use of election funds to advocate one political party over another broke the law or violated ethics codes.
According to Elections BC, materials sent directly to members of an organization are exempt from election advertising rules. True North contacted Elections BC to clarify whether the communication broke any election laws.
“The Public Service Alliance of Canada, BC Region, is a registered election advertising sponsor in British Columbia. Election advertising sponsors are allowed to endorse parties and encourage their members to vote for particular parties and candidates,” Elections BC senior communications advisor Melanie Hull told True North.
In the letter, Mills accused the BC Conservatives of being a “far-right” party.
“The announcement that the BC United Party suspended their province-wide election campaign and partnered with the far-right Conservative Party of BC means that this election race is much, much tighter,” the letter reads.
“As a union, our goal is to elect governments that align with our values and prioritize policies that uplift workers, safeguard our public services, and invest in a fairer future for everyone. A conservative government-at federal or provincial levels – will not do this.”
PSAC did not respond to True North’s request for comment.
The controversy surrounding the letter comes on the heels of other recent challenges for PSAC. The union is currently facing 14 human rights complaints from Jewish members who allege a “culture of discrimination and harassment” related to PSAC’s perceived “anti-Israel agenda.”
The complaints accuse the union of promoting biased views towards Israel, citing instances such as a “solidarity with Palestine” webinar, where participants allegedly made accusations of apartheid and genocide against Israel. Other grievances include the distribution of flyers endorsing the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions movement, and PSAC’s rejection of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s definition of antisemitism.
