The BCTF will be holding the Women’s Institute in Vancouver on February 19–21, 2026, at the Coast Coal Harbour Hotel.

This event welcomes members with equity-deserving gender identities, including cis and trans women, and non-binary and gender non-conforming people who are comfortable in a space that centers the experiences of women. 

Objectives for the Women’s Institute are as follows:

1. to create an opportunity for members to share their experiences, build community, and learn new leadership skills and strategies together
2. to support and inspire women’s leadership in the workplace, union, and broader community
3. to deepen an understanding of women’s issues, decolonization, feminist analyses, intersectionality, and effective collective organizing
4. to celebrate the contributions of women in the union, profession, and community.

The BCTF invites additional delegates from the membership-at-large, who meet the following criteria and are not attending as a delegate of their local, to apply to attend the institute at BCTF expense:

• up to 25 additional delegates with priority given to those who are members of other equity-seeking groups, and those who have not attended previous Women’s Institutes, and
• up to 10 additional delegates who are in their first five years of teaching and who have not attended previous Women’s Institutes.

If you would like to apply for one of the additional delegate positions, please apply using the appropriate application at this link. The application deadline is November 24, 2025, at 4:00 p.m.

Location

Coast Coal Harbour Hotel—1180 West Hastings Street, Vancouver, BC.

Agenda

Thursday, February 19, 2026

7:00 to 9:30 p.m.        • opening and dessert reception.

Friday, February 20, 2026

9:00 a.m.                     • opening session

until 5:00 p.m.            • sessions throughout the day

6:30 p.m.                     • banquet.

Saturday, February 21, 2026

9:00 a.m.                     • sessions begin

12:30 p.m.                   • event concludes.

Delegates should be aware that this conference has a very full agenda, including two evening sessions or events. All meals are provided and are part of the conference agenda, so there is very little “down time” over the course of our time together.

Travel and leaves of absence

Leaves of absence will be provided for delegates to travel to and attend the event. Accommodation will be provided at the Coast Coal Harbour Hotel. Please do not contact the hotel to make reservations—BCTF staff will arrange accommodations based on the information delegates provide when they register through the BCTF website. Travel costs will be covered by the BCTF according to BCTF policies. Specific details on these items will be provided directly to delegates.

Childcare

On-site childcare will be provided, if requested. Please ensure that you indicate your on-site childcare requirements, including the ages of children needing care, in your registration information.

We will use the data collected through the registration process to arrange childcare, so it is important that this information is provided at the time of registration.

Alternatively, delegates can opt to arrange childcare in their home community. BCTF Procedure 10.I.28—4. states:

A maximum claim of $240 per 24-hour day will be paid for outside daycare services. Where care is required for less than a full day, the amount paid will be based on the number of hours of daycare at $18 an hour. The BCTF will only reimburse members for dependant costs that would not otherwise be incurred by the member.

If the provider is a relative, the dependant allowance may be considered a taxable benefit. Deducting taxes owed and reporting to Canada Revenue Agency may be required.

*For definition of “dependant,” please see Members’ Guide Procedure 10.I.28—1.

For more information on travel expense and reimbursement information, including childcare, for BCTF members, click here.

Deadline: November 24, 2025, at 4:00 p.m.

A CV application form can be found on the BCTF website.

Applicants may wish to provide, on a voluntary basis, information as to whether they self-identify as a member of one or more equity-deserving groups.

Please be aware that if you are currently on leave from your district, participation is not permitted to ensure that your leave status is not affected. We encourage you to explore future opportunities once your leave has concluded.