VANCOUVER, B.C. – In anticipation of the new provincial NDP government headed by John Horgan, set to take power on July 18, the B.C. Federation of Labour (BCFED) has announced that it is eager to work with the new Premier and cabinet on occupational health and safety. A July 11 news release from the organization stated that “urgent action” is necessary on the issue, as the province has seen several workplace tragedies over the past two months. The release also criticized the “paltry fines” that B.C. employers have been sentenced to pay following recent occupational fatalities. “There are significant opportunities for government, the workers’ compensation board, the labour movement and employers to work together to ensure that everyone goes home safely at the end of the workday,” BCFED president Irene Lanzinger said in a press statement, adding that she was “optimistic” about the federation’s ability to make headway with the new government. “Clearly, more needs to be done to keep workers safe on the job and fairly compensate those who are killed or injured.” Horgan’s NDP party formed a minority government on June 29.