Bridget Moran

By Cheryl Jahn

Social Work Week

Social Work Week celebrated

Mar 9, 2026 | 3:11 PM

PRINCE GEORGE – According to the Canadian Association of Social Workers, there are over 50,000 social workers in Canada. They are professionals providing vital health, mental health, and social services, with employment opportunities projected to remain strong due to high demand through 2028. And this is the week to acknowledge and celebrate the profession.

To that end, Prince George Mayor Simon Yu declared it “Social Worker Week” in front of the Bridget Moran Statue on Third Avenue today (March 9).

The theme to this year’s declaration is “Here to Stay” and with reason.

“No matter what governments, or clients, or a lack of funding, or our communities throw at us, we’re not going anywhere,” explained Kayla Walker, Chair of the Northern Branch of the BC Association of Social Workers. “We’re here to show up for the people that live here and work here and to support them, whatever that looks like.”

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The location of the declaration is fitting. Bridget Moran was a staunch social work activist who, in 1964, caught the wrath of then-Premier W.A.C. Bennett, who ultimately suspended her and four other social workers, for their public criticisms of child welfare services.

“Our community members not only have to deal with lack of funding, lack of resources, lack of awareness and a lot of stigma, but they also have to face the cold and face the difficulty getting to and from family members,” said Walker.

UNBC has a School of Social Work and has for years. Kayla Walker has words of advice aspiring to the profession.

“Each of us, as far as I can tell, has a personal reason that draws us to the field,” noted Walker.”

So, Bridget Moran takes her place on Third Avenue to serve as a permanent reminder of the profession that is so often overlooked.