1992 No differential fees based on years in practice
President: Dr. David Kates
In June lobby efforts resulted in amendments to the Medical and Health Services Act, which prevented the payment of differential fees to physicians based on their years in practice.

1993 The elimination of internship
President: Dr. Eric Webber
On July 1st internship was eliminated and two pathways to licensure – Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada or College of Family Physicians of Canada – were implemented. The College of Physicians and Surgeons of BC partially as a result of lobby efforts by PARI-BC maintained a “third pathway” to licensure that was restricted to BC.

The third pathway through general licensure however has since been discontinued due to educational needs; PAR-BC fought to grandfather r1’s in 2009, and in 2010 the general licensure was no longer issued to residents.

LMCCQEII
The Medical Council of Canada created part two of the qualifying exam, which is to be taken 18-months post M.D.

Physician Supply Task Force
A multiparty BC Task Force on Physician Supply was formed for the purpose of recommending supply options to the Ministry of Health. PARI-BC had representation on the task force. The Interim Measures Committee was charged with making recommendations that would remain in place until a long-term provincial plan was developed.

Strike Mandate
PARI-BC was given an 88% strike mandate by its members. Based on this, negotiations for renewal of the collective agreement concluded.

1994 Name Change
President: Dr. Anne Priestman
PARI-BC changed its name from the Professional Association of Residents and Interns of British Columbia to the Professional Association of Residents of British Columbia to reflect the elimination of internship.

Health Sector Unions Amalgamated
The Dorsey Commission recommended amalgamation of the unions in the health care sector resulting in five associations of unions: Residents, Nurses, Paramedical Professionals and General Workers/ These five associations represent all unionized health care workers in the province.

More billing number restrictions
At the request of the BCMA the Interim Measures on physician supply were implemented on February 11th. Any new billing numbers issued received only 50% of the relevant fee.

In June, the BCMA Board of Directors approved the points system; a FFS system of differential fees for new entrants to practice. Under the Point System new entrants to practice are issued geographically restricted billing numbers at 50%, 75% or 100% of billings dependant on whether or not the area of the province he/she wishes to practice in is over or under serviced. All areas of the province are deemed over serviced for general practice resulting in new entrants receiving only 50% of their billings. Once a physician collects 100 points an unrestricted billing number is issued. In general it takes 5 years to obtain 100 points. The only hurdle to implementation is the 1992 PARI-BC amendments to the Medical and Health Care Services Act, which prohibits differential fees based on years in practice.

In July PARI-BC’s amendment is repealed, thus enabling the Points System.

See you in court

PAR-BC serves notice of its intent to challenge the Points System and Interim Measure. The BCMA intervenes in opposition of PAR-BC’s challenge. PAR-BC receives financial and moral support from practicing physicians. The bulk of the costs are paid for by PAR-BC’s membership in the form of a dues increase to 2%. See 1997 for the result, 1998 for costs and 1999 for the appeal.

1995 Billing number restrictions repealed
President: Dr. Don Young
Dr. R. Mia supported by PARI-BC filed a Charter challenge of the billing restriction legislation. Chief Justice McEachern ruled in favour of Dr. Mia, and the restrictions were lifted. The decision was not appealed.

Mock LMCCQEII
The mock-LMCCQEII is established by PAR-BC to assist its members in preparing to part 2 of the LMCC.

Tuition Fees averted
PAR-BC successfully lobbies the Dean of Medicine not to implement tuition fees for residents – rumored to be $2,200 per year.

1996 Residents are students.
President: Dr. Ken Worry In May, PAR-BC applied to be Labour Relations Board (LRB) to vary its certifications to be consistent with the recommendations of the Dorsey Commission and subsequent regulation-establishing PAR-BC as the bargaining association for Residents province-wide.

The Hospitals through their bargaining arm the Health Employers Association of BC (HEABC) responds by applying to the LRB seeking to have residents declared students and to decertify PAR-BC. The HEABC submits that residents are not integral to hospital operations. It likens residents to student nurses and contends that just like with student nurses, their absence from the ward would not be noticed.

In November the HEABC rejects all of PAR-BC’s bargaining proposals that have an “employee” slant. PAR-BC cancels further talks until it has met with its members.

New Logo
In July, PAR-BC adopts its logo the Spirit Catcher designed by Mr. Byson Young. According to Mr. Young the Spirit Catcher was used primarily as a tool in the hands of the shaman or Healer in the traditional culture of the Northwest Coast. In adopting the Spirit Catcher as its logo PAR-BC invokes the shamanic tradition that likely began the history of healing in BC.

New Office
PAR-BC moved to 900 601 W. Broadway.

1997 Points System defeated
President: Dr. William F. Dick
On July 30th, Madame Justice Levine rules that the Interim Measures and Points System violates the Charter of Rights and Freedoms and that the MSC does not have the authority to implement either measure. Both are struck down. PAR-BC applies for costs.

Strike Mandate
In June, PAR-BC’s members give it an overwhelming strike mandate in response to HEABC’s rejection of PAR-BC’s 1996 bargaining proposals. PAR-BC serves notice on the HEABC and applies to the LRB for mediation. A mediated settlement is reached in October, which the members subsequently ratified.

On July 21st, a case management meeting is held at the LRB during which the HEABC concedes that residents are employees but maintains that UBC is the appropriate employer. UBC disagrees. A full hearing is scheduled for January 1998 but is adjourned. In 2001 the HEABC advised the LRB that it is dropping its application.

Revised Government Structure
Subsequent to the 1996 governance review the structure of the PAR-BC Board of Directors is changed from a program based representative forum with 40+ members to a 12 member board elected by the membership.

1998 Points System costs awarded
President: Dr. Ian Connelly
In April Madame Justice Levine ruled that PAR-BC was entitled to increased costs. The Attorney General Appealed. See 2011 for the result.

Government Inclusion
PAR-BC is increasingly invited to participate in discussions regarding health care in BC and its impact on residents.

1999 Points System appeal dismissed
Drs. Leo Wong and Xin-Yong Wang
The Attorney General appealed Madame Justice Levine’s Points System decision. The BCMA intervened in support. Justice Hall dismisses the appeal.

2000 Dues Reduced
President: Dr. W. Davidson
PAR-BC reduces its dues from 2% to 1.5% following its win over the points system.

Residents Advocate Award
PAR-BC introduces a Residents Advocate Award to honour individuals who have improved the well being of residents, and/or promote the interests of residents. The award carries with it $1,000 donation to the charity of the recipient’s choice. Dr. Galt Wilson of Prince George was the inaugural recipient.