The British Columbia government is boosting pay for community coroners by 55 per cent, according to a recent job posting. The increase aims to address a shortage of death investigators in rural and remote areas of the province.
Pay Hike Details
The job advertisement, posted on the B.C. government's careers website, lists the new hourly wage for community coroners at $42.58, up from the previous rate of $27.46. This represents a 55 per cent increase. The position is part-time and on-call, covering regions outside major urban centres.
According to the B.C. Coroners Service, community coroners are responsible for investigating deaths that occur unexpectedly, from unknown causes, or in suspicious circumstances. They work in communities without a full-time coroner office.
Recruitment Challenges
The pay boost comes as the province struggles to recruit and retain coroners in remote areas. A 2023 report from the B.C. Coroners Service noted that 40 per cent of community coroner positions were vacant at times, leading to delays in death investigations. The Canadian Press reported that the job ad was posted on July 3, 2026.
"We hope this increase will make the position more attractive to qualified candidates in rural communities," said a spokesperson for the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General. The ministry oversees the Coroners Service.
Impact on Communities
Community coroners play a vital role in ensuring timely and accurate death investigations, which can be critical for families and for public health surveillance. The pay raise is expected to help fill vacancies and reduce response times in areas like northern B.C. and Vancouver Island.
The job posting also notes that candidates must have a valid driver's license and be able to respond to scenes within their community. Training is provided by the Coroners Service.
