Weather Alert: Orange level warning – Rain

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Please be advised of this weather alert put out by Fraser Health.

Orange Level Warning – Rain

Issued at 2025-12-09 11:16 by Environment and Climate Change Canada

 Issued for

  • Fraser Valley – central including Chilliwack and east including Hope, Hope Slide and Highway 3 – Hope
  • An atmospheric river will be heavy rain and warm air, likely resulting in high streamflows and localized flooding

Current details

  • Localized flooding is likely. Some roads may become impassable. Visibility will likely be suddenly reduced at times.
  • Find further details here: Weather Alerts

 Timeframe: Tuesday evening through Wednesday evening

An Orange warning means severe weather is likely to cause significant damage, disruption, or health impacts.

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Flood Watch

Issued at 2025-12-09 12:00 by River Forecast Centre

Issued for

  • Lower Fraser tributaries including Fraser Valley around Abbotsford, Chilliwack, Hope and east through Manning Park

Current details

  • This event is potent, but it is projected to shorter in duration with less precipitation as the 2021 year event, and is forecasted to be concentrated more south of the border.
  • In addition to the anticipated atmospheric river high rainfall, shallow snowpack is being observed around the mid and upper elevations of the region, with conditions to produce rain-on-snow and additional streamflow runoff.
  • Rivers have risen from rainfall yesterday and overnight and remain high.
  • Current modelling is indicating the potential for flows to reach the 5-year to 20-year return period range or higher.
  • Stay clear of the banks of swift running rivers and never drive across flooded roads, bridges or river crossings. At this time of year leaves can clog storm drains and impact urban drainage. Keep storm drains clear.

Timeframe: Tuesday evening through Wednesday evening

A Flood Watch means that river levels are rising and will approach or may exceed bankfull.  Flooding of areas adjacent to affected rivers may occur.

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Potential impacts for consideration

  • Travel – Major travel disruption to services and transportation in the region is possible
    • Staff may have trouble accessing work sites
    • There may be delays to transport of patients and supplies
    • Communities may be inaccessible
  • Utilities and services – Utilities and services likely impacted
    • Loose objects may be tossed by the wind and cause injury or damage
    • High winds may result in power outages and fallen tree branches
    • Power loss can lead to pump failures
  • Land and structures – Substantial property damage
    • Sudden rise in stream levels and localized flooding in residential and business areas
    • Can increase likelihood of Code Grey internal flooding
  • Human health – There may be an increased demand on health care services
    • There is a potential for higher number of visits in Emergency Departments
    • There is a possibility for delays from BCEHS and 911 dispatchers
    • Prioritization of client/patient/resident wellness checks should consider priority populations

 Potential actions to take

  • Sign up for weather alerts through Alertable, WeatherCAN, and AlertMe
  • Make sure on-call leadership is aware and knows how to report any impacts
  • Be aware of plans that support the impacts of flooding and power failures
  • Give yourself more time to travel for work
    • Consider postponing non-essential travel until conditions improve

Purdy’s Orders Ready for Pick Up!

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Thank you to those who participated in the Purdy Group Savings Program for Christmas 2025. The chocolates have arrived.

Anyone who placed an order is asked to stop by Loradonna’s office to retrieve your chocolates. How sweet is that?

Loradonna’s office is located in the admin hallway in Menno Hospital East 1.

 

BCNU: Union Dues & Benefits Transition

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MEMO

To: All BCNU Members – Menno Apartments and Menno Home

This memo is to keep you informed regarding the transition to BCNU.

Union Dues:

Union dues will be deducted starting on the following dates:

  • Menno Apartments: November 30, 2025
  • Menno Home: December 7, 2025

Benefits:

We are still waiting for updated benefits information from the carrier.

  • Health Benefits Trust (HBT) is the overall benefits provider.
  • Pacific Blue Cross administers the Extended Health and Dental benefits.
  • Canada Life administers Group Life, AD&D, and LTD benefits.

During this transition period, employees may need to pay out of pocket for eligible prescriptions and services.

Please remember to keep all receipts. You will be able to submit expenses for reimbursement once your coverage becomes fully active. You can download a copy of this memo as a PDF here: MEMO BCNU: Union Dues & Benefits Transition

Thank you

Christmas Party Photos! And Gifts! And a Survey!

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Looking for your photos from the party? Wondering if you won? It’s all right here.

Read more

Blue Christmas: A quiet reflective service

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Christmas can be a difficult time of year. Residents, families, friends and staff are invited to join us for this gentle service.

Christmas Door Decorating Contest 2025!

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The Christmas Door Decorating contest is underway for 2025! We will have a prize for the best team door and the best individual door.

The contest is running from December 1st to 15th. Have you decorated your door yet?

How to Enter:

  1. Gather your team (or go solo) and decorate a door. Please make sure that the door remains safe (ie can open, close, and lock as usual) and do not block any necessary sightlines.
  2. Take a photo and send it to Claire.Colvin [at] MennoPlace.ca along with the names of the people who worked on the door and your location on campus.
  3. Please submit your photos of your team or individual Christmas doors no later than 4 pm on December 15th.

Winners will be announced by Thursday, December 18th.

Happy Decorating!

Here are some of last year’s entries (including the winning entry!) for inspiration:

Safety is Everyone’s Business: The True Cost of WorkSafe Claims

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Every claim counts — prevention protects everyone.

When an injury happens, the impact goes beyond the individual. WorkSafeBC claims affect staffing levels, morale, and even funding that supports programs and care delivery.

Here’s what happens when we reduce claims:

  • We keep premiums lower, meaning more resources for staff wellness and equipment.
  • We maintain consistent care for residents and clients.
  • We protect our reputation as a safe, supportive employer.

Here’s what you can do:

  • Work safely every day, follow policies and use equipment correctly.
  • Support coworkers who return to modified duties.
  • Keep communication open,  ask for training if you’re unsure.
  • Be proactive: prevention is the best cost savings strategy.

Let’s make every shift count:  for ourselves, our residents, and our community.

 

Let’s rise to lift others this #GivingTuesday

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Together, we can enhance the dignity, comfort, and safety of residents and staff at Menno Place.

Read more

MEMO: All BCNU Members – Menno Apartments & Menno Home – Key Changes

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To: All BCNU Members – Menno Apartments and Menno Home

 This memo provides nursing staff with key information regarding the upcoming transition to the British Columbia Nurses’ Union (BCNU).

 Implementation Dates

  • Menno Apartments: November 16, 2025
  • Menno Home: November 23, 2025

Key Changes

  1. Enhanced Disability Management Program (EDMP)
  • All regular full-time and part-time nurses must participate in the EDMP.
  • EDMP provides structured reviews and monitoring for employees off work due to illness or injury, supporting a smoother and earlier return to work.
  • TeksMed is the EDMP provider for Menno Place.
  • Refer to MOA – Enhanced Disability Management Program in the Collective Agreement.
  1. Resignations
  • Regular employees must provide 28 calendar days’ written notice of resignation; otherwise, a penalty may apply.
  • Refer to Article 15.
  1. Internal Job Postings
  • Vacancies nine (9) months or longer will be posted as temporary postings.
  • Internal postings will be posted on Tuesdays and remain open for 72 hours (reduced from 7 days).
  • Refer to Article 17.
  1. Increments
  • Casual employees: Advance one increment every 1,950 hours worked.
  • Regular employees: Advance on their anniversary date.
  • Refer to Article 12.
  1. Supplemental Employment Benefit (SEB) – Maternity Leave
  • Staff are entitled to SEB when taking maternity leave.
  • Refer to Article 38.
  1. WorkSafeBC (WCB) Claims
  • Employees with an accepted WorkSafeBC claim will remain on the employer’s payroll.
  • The employer continues to pay the employee, and WorkSafeBC reimburses the employer.
  • Refer to Article 42.
  1. Personal Leave Bank
  • Regular employees are entitled to two personal leave days per year.
  • For 2025 only, the allocation is as follows:
    • Nurses hired into a regular position before June 30, 2025: 2 days
    • Nurses hired into a regular position after June 30, 2025: 1 day
  • You must currently be in a regular position to receive this benefit.
  • Personal leave banks from 2025 may be carried into 2026, up to March 31st.
  • Refer to Article 43.
  1. Casual – Minimum Hours to Work
  • Casual Employees are required to work a minimum of 400 hours over a twelve (12) month period.
  • Refer to Article 11
  1. Status of Casual Employees in Temporary Positions
  • Casual employees in temporary positions will be considered regular employees for the duration of the assignment.
  • This includes eligibility for all benefits available to regular full-time or part-time staff.
  • Refer to Article 17

 Important Note

 This memo does not cite the full Collective Agreement and is intended as a summary of key points only. It is the employee’s responsibility to familiarize themselves with the full Collective Agreement. The complete document can be accessed here:
BCNU Collective Agreement – Nurses Bargaining Association

If you have any questions, you can reach out to your shop steward:

 Meg McCusker
Steward at Large, Fraser Valley Region

BC Nurses’ Union
P:  604 433 2268 | 1 800 663 9991

E:  megmccusker@bcnu.org

You can download the full text of this memo as a PDF here: The Culture Volume 2025.07