Vancouver nurses have announced picketing due to staffing shortages. Police are searching for a woman whose car was found on a ferry. Switzerland’s national team advanced to the Round of 16 at the World Cup.
British Columbia nurses announce picket outside Vancouver hospital: strike escalation
The British Columbia Nurses’ Union (BCNU) announced that it will begin picketing Vancouver General Hospital starting Tuesday at 5:30 a.m. local time. It is the first time since 1989 that nurses have taken to picket lines—an action union leader Adrianne Gair called an “action of last resort in the face of a catastrophic staffing shortage.” The picket will be arranged so as not to disrupt emergency care: under the rules, critical services will continue. CBC reports this in its report. The day before, the nurses had already started a softer form of protest—limiting overtime and refusing duties that are atypical for them, such as cleaning and serving food. But, according to Gair, “nurses don’t want to be on picket lines. They want to care for patients, but the system can no longer withstand it.”
The union’s main demands—made by a group representing about 60,000 nurses across the province—are higher wages and removing the causes of chronic overload: dangerous workloads, unsafe staffing levels and violence in the workplace. Gair cited alarming figures: in British Columbia, there is a permanent nursing shortage of between 4,500 and 6,000 nurses, not including temporary absences due to sickness or parental leave. “Every 16 hours, a nurse goes off work sick because of an injury caused by patient violence. That’s unacceptable,” she stressed. BCNU executive director Jim Gould added that the government will not solve the staffing deficit without improving working conditions. He also warned that the union will not tolerate attempts to intimidate participants in lawful actions—there have already been reports that managers are threatening nurses with complaints to a professional college for “compromising patient care.” Gair called such threats “absolutely unacceptable,” emphasizing that refusing unnecessary duties does not affect safety.
Negotiations between the Nurses’ Bargaining Association (NBA) and the Health Employers Association of British Columbia (HEABC) had stalled as far back as May, when a tentative agreement was rejected by union members. After protests began on Thursday, employers agreed to return to the bargaining table next week. Health Minister Josie Osborne said the province will ensure residents receive the care they need, and that “the best agreements are reached at the bargaining table,” urging the parties to allow “space” for dialogue. However, the union remains firm: “Nurses feel they have no choice left,” Gair summarized. The picket outside the Vancouver hospital will become a symbol of the gap between government promises and the reality in which nurses are working at their limits.
To understand the situation, it’s important to distinguish a few concepts. A “picket” is a form of protest in which workers stand with signs at an institution’s entrance, calling for solidarity and informing the public. However, picketing does not mean a complete stop of work: the law requires maintaining “essential services,” meaning emergency care and life-sustaining services. The body that determines which services are critical is the British Columbia Labour Relations Board. “Healthcare jobs” refers to the entire network of hospitals, clinics and long-term care homes where nurses work. WorkSafeBC is the provincial agency for workers’ compensation, and its data confirms a high level of violence. The NBA union represents all nurses in the province during negotiations. The key takeaway from what’s happening is that the staffing shortage has become so acute that even the risk of disciplinary action is not stopping nurses from taking collective action, while the government is still not ready to offer concessions despite acknowledging the severity of the problem.
Missing woman in British Columbia: car found abandoned on ferry
British Columbia police are looking for Joyelle Goldbard, who disappeared under mysterious circumstances. Her orange Subaru was found unattended on a ferry traveling from Langdale to Horseshoe Bay on Thursday at 2:35 p.m. Since then, the woman’s whereabouts have been unknown. The incident occurred along the route linking the Sunshine Coast to mainland Vancouver and has already drawn attention from local media and police. As CTV News reports, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police are asking the public for any information that could help determine Goldbard’s location.
The situation is alarming because a ferry passenger leaving a vehicle behind is rare. Usually, drivers exit the ferry with their vehicles, and finding a car without its owner immediately suggests a possible accident or a crime. Langdale is a small port on the Sechelt Peninsula, while Horseshoe Bay is a major terminal in West Vancouver that provides access to downtown and other areas. The ferry service there is a key transportation artery, heavily used by both local residents and tourists. That is why a person going missing under these circumstances has drawn particular attention.
At this time, police have not released details about possible reasons for the disappearance, but they are asking anyone who has seen Joyelle Goldbard or her vehicle in recent days to contact law enforcement immediately. It’s important to understand that a car left behind on a ferry could indicate that the person may have left the vehicle in panic, become lost within the terminal area, or become a victim of crime. However, no definitive conclusions can be drawn yet—the investigation has only just begun. The case is reminiscent of other high-profile missing person incidents in British Columbia, where people went missing and their vehicles were found in unexpected places. Such incidents often require careful review of surveillance footage, witness interviews and analysis of mobile phones.
For those unfamiliar with the region’s geography: Langdale is on the Sunshine Coast, northwest of Vancouver, while Horseshoe Bay is an area of West Vancouver where a large ferry terminal is located. The ferry crossing takes about 40 minutes. The fact that the car remained onboard means the driver either did not return to it after boarding, or left it during the crossing (though that is virtually impossible, since passengers are required to remain in their cars on the deck). The only logical scenario is that the woman got out of the car before departure and did not return, and the ferry then left with an empty vehicle. That raises difficult questions for police: where she might have been at that moment, and what happened.
Right now, the priority is to find Joyelle Goldbard. Any information could prove critical. Police are asking people to contact their nearest RCMP detachment or call 911. The case has already sparked concern in the community, and many hope the woman is found alive and unharmed. In the meantime, investigators are reviewing records from the ferry terminal and interviewing passengers and crew from that sailing. A person missing with a car abandoned on a ferry is an unusual incident that requires a fast and thorough investigation.
Switzerland beats Algeria in Vancouver and reaches the Round of 16
For the first time since 1938, Switzerland’s men’s national football team won a knockout match at the World Cup. The historic moment happened right in Vancouver—at BC Place, Switzerland thrashed Algeria 2-0 in the Round of 32. Tens of thousands of fans filled the venue, and after the final whistle, the emotions of the Swiss supporters were through the roof. “Pure euphoria, pure joy—we’re thrilled,” one happy fan told CityNews. Another added: “Look at this atmosphere. What a game! An incredible night, a special night.” A third summed it up simply: “Switzerland played amazingly, just as we expected. So—on to the next.”
The win was Switzerland’s first in World Cup knockout play in 88 years. The last time they advanced past the group stage was before World War II, in 1938. Now the team will remain in Vancouver and prepare for the Round of 16 match on July 7 at the same BC Place. Their opponent will be either Ghana or Colombia. Notably, this game will be the final World Cup match that Vancouver hosts. In that way, Switzerland has not only added a page to its history, but also delivered an unforgettable football send-off for local fans. For those who are not fully familiar with the tournament format: starting in 2026, the men’s World Cup expands to 48 teams, which introduces the Round of 32 (Round 32), followed by the Round of 16 (Round 16) and so on. More about the event can be read in the original CityNews Vancouver article.
