President of BC Nurses' Union resigns for 'personal reasons'
The president of the BC Nurses' Union has resigned, citing unspecified "personal reasons" for her decision.
Christine Sorensen's departure was announced in a brief statement on the union's website Monday, as Canada's 44th federal election was dominating headlines across the country.
"Sorensen has resigned as president of the BCNU for personal reasons and to pursue other opportunities," read the statement, which also thanked her for her years of service.
Her resignation followed one week after the union criticized B.C.'s announced vaccination mandate for health-care workers, a position that drew backlash from some nurses and doctors.
"I am so outraged that a union I pay dues to is not supporting this mandate," one social media user identifying as a critical care nurse wrote on Twitter. "Time for a new way for nurses."
After the mandate was announced by provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry last Monday, the BCNU issued a statement expressing concern about the potential impact on staffing levels at the province's already understaffed hospitals.
"We cannot support any order which will serve to remove even a single nurse or other health-care worker from the health-care system at a time of severe crisis," the union wrote.
Doctors of BC supported the mandate, however, and had been calling on the province to impose a vaccine requirement for health-care workers for weeks.
There's no indication that pushback over the BC Nurses' Union's position on the vaccine mandate factored into Sorensen's departure.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Half of Canadians have negative opinion of latest Liberal budget: poll
A new poll suggests the Liberals have not won over voters with their latest budget, though there is broad support for their plan to build millions of homes.
opinion Why you should protect your investments by naming a trusted contact person
Appointing a trusted person to help with financial obligations can give you peace of mind. In his personal finance column for CTVNews.ca, Christopher Liew outlines the key benefits of naming a confidant to take over your financial responsibilities, if the need ever arises.
'One of the single most terrifying things ever': Canadian couple among tourists on sinking sailing boat tour abroad
A Toronto couple are speaking out about their “extremely dangerous” experience on board a sinking tour boat in the Dominican Republic last week.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.
Ottawa injects another $36M into vaccine injury compensation fund
The federal government has added $36.4 million to a program designed to support people who have been seriously injured or killed by vaccines since the end of 2020.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
An Ontario senior called Geek Squad for help with his printer. Instead, he got scammed out of $25,000
An Ontario senior’s attempt to get technical help online led him into a spoofing scam where he lost $25,000. Now, he’s sharing his story to warn others.
Accused of burglary at stepmother's home, U.S. senator says she wanted her father's ashes: charges
A Minnesota state senator and former broadcast meteorologist told police that she broke into her stepmother's home because her stepmother refused to give her items of sentimental value from her late father, including his ashes, according to burglary charges filed Tuesday.
Twins from Toronto were Canada's top two female finishers at this year's Boston Marathon
When identical twin sisters Kim and Michelle Krezonoski were invited to compete against some of the world’s most elite female runners at last week’s Boston Marathon, they were in disbelief.