The BCGEU is mourning the profound loss of former president Stephanie Smith, who passed away peacefully on Monday night, July 6, 2026. Her departure leaves a void in the hearts of all who knew her and in the fabric of the labor movement she helped shape and elevate.
Born in Montreal, Stephanie was a proud New Zealander and embraced her identity as a ‘kiwi by choice,’ bringing her vibrant spirit and unwavering dedication to every cause she championed. She made her home in Richmond, British Columbia, where she was the proud mother of two children and a beacon of strength and leadership within her community and union family.
Stephanie made history as the first woman elected president of the BC General Employees’ Union in its more than 100-year history. Her election in 2014 marked a significant milestone, and she served as president until 2024, guiding the union through a decade of transformative change. Her leadership reshaped the union’s direction, advocated fiercely for workers’ rights, and left a lasting legacy that continues to influence the lives of working people across British Columbia.
An early childhood educator by training, Stephanie’s involvement in the labor movement began in 1981 in New Zealand, where she first fought for workers’ rights. Her journey brought her to B.C., where she became an active member of the Children’s Services Employees’ Union, which later joined the BCGEU in the mid-1990s. For Stephanie, solidarity was not just a slogan but a daily commitment—an ingrained practice of everyday working people standing shoulder to shoulder. Rising through the ranks as a steward and community social services leader, she served as the first vice-chair of the community social services component, sat on the Provincial Executive from 2008, and served as BCGEU treasurer before her historic election as president.
Throughout her career, Stephanie was a fierce and tireless advocate for affordable, accessible, and high-quality child care. Her dedication was rooted in her work as an early childhood educator, and she carried this passion onto provincial, national, and international stages. Her advocacy efforts elevated the child care sector and the workers within it, making a profound difference in the lives of countless families and communities.
Stephanie also championed Reconciliation, striving to strengthen relationships between the union and Indigenous communities. During her tenure, she worked diligently to foster understanding and respect, supporting reports such as Choose Children and Closing the Circle, participating in the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls, establishing the Provincial Executive Indigenous Advisory Committee, and advocating for the principles of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. Her commitment to justice and equity extended beyond words, translating into meaningful action and partnership.
“Stephanie showed generations of members, especially women, what was possible,” said Maria Middlemiss, BCGEU treasurer. “Like so many of us, she came up through our union as a steward and an activist. She was someone who saw injustice and used every bit of power she had to do something about it. She broke barriers as our first woman president, and she never stopped fighting for the workers who care for our children, our families, and our communities. Her legacy lives in every member she inspired to lead.”
“Behind the history she made was a warm, funny, relentless person who made everyone around her believe they could achieve real progress for working people,” said BCGEU President Paul Finch. “That is how I will remember Stephanie. Our thoughts are with her family and everyone who loved her.”
Premier David Eby expressed his condolences, sharing his memories of working with Stephanie: “Stephanie was a tireless advocate for working people and a respected leader who always stood up for what she believed in. We worked closely together over the years, and I saw firsthand how deeply she cared about strong public services, safe workplaces, and the people who relied on them. Her roots in childcare shaped who she was, bringing a kindness, compassion, and genuine warmth to everything she did. But when it came time to stand up for workers, she was a determined and fearless advocate who never backed down.