The BCTF will be hosting the Women’s Institute in Vancouver on January 21–23, 2027, at the Coast Coal Harbour Hotel. This event centers on the experiences of women and welcomes members with equity-deserving gender identities, including cis and trans women, and non-binary and gender non-conforming people who are comfortable in sharing this experience.

Objectives for the Women’s Institute are as follows:

1. to create an opportunity for members who identify as women 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.

Participation at this event will include the following
one delegate sent from each local or sublocal who

• identifies as a woman, including non-binary and gender non-confirming people who are
  • comfortable in a space that centers the experiences of women.
  • has not attended a Women’s Institute in the past five years.
• members of the Committee for Action on Social Justice Status of Women Action Group and

  Women in Leadership facilitators.

• members of the Executive Committee who identify as women.
• additional delegates from the membership at large:
  • up to 25 additional delegates who, in addition to identifying as women, are members of other equity seeking groups and;
  • up to 10 additional delegates who, in addition to identifying as women, are in their first five years of teaching

   

In both cases priority is given to those who have not attended previous Women’s Institutes.

If you would like to apply for one of the additional delegate positions, you can find the application on our website here.

Sample Agenda 

Thursday, January 21

6:30-9:30 p.m opening and dinner

Friday, January 22

9:00 a.m. sessions begin

5:30 p.m. sessions adjourn for the day

6:30 p.m. banquet

Saturday, January 23

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. Staff from the BCTF 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. When registering, please ensure that you indicate your on-site childcare requirements, including the ages of children needing care.  We will use the data collected through the registration process to arrange childcare, so it is important that this information is provided at that time.

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

Where care is provided by a childcare provider, the amount paid will be based on the actual hours of care provided at a maximum hourly rate of $21.78 an hour and a daily maximum of $290 (per 24-hours, per household).

For definition of “dependent,” please see the BCTF Members’ Guide Procedure 10.I.28—1.

For more information on travel expense and reimbursement, including childcare, for BCTF members please visit our website here.

Deadline: November 4th, 2026, at 4:00 p.m.

A CV application form can be found on the BCTF website at bctf.ca/forms/CV.

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.