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4w ago

B.C. Field Coroners Demand Pay Boost and On-Call Compensation as Province Pledges Talks

Field coroners warn that stagnant wages since 2016 have led to staffing shortages in rural communities

Field coroners say they are among the most underpaid workers in the province's emergency services sector, receiving just over $32 an hour as they work on scenes that can be risky and stressful.

Overview

  • Around 85 part-time field coroners in British Columbia earn just over $32 an hour and receive no compensation for standby time
  • No pay increase since 2016 has left field coroners struggling with rising living costs and high inflation
  • Unpaid on-call requirements have driven many experienced coroners to quit, leading to gaps in service coverage
  • Full-time investigative coroners receive regular raises, pensions and benefits, underscoring a growing pay disparity
  • The BC Coroners Service has confirmed ongoing discussions with the Public Safety Ministry but has not set a timeline for implementing changes