VANCOUVER, BC, Sept. 2, 2026 /CNW/ -- In a first-of-its-kind community partnership, the BC Maritime Employers Association (BCMEA), Mission Possible, and Ending Violence Association of BC (EVA BC) are expanding violence prevention and bystander intervention training into community workplaces serving Vancouver's Downtown Eastside.

Training begins this week through the renowned Be More Than a Bystander (BMTAB) program that will equip Mission Possible staff and other social organizations with practical skills to respond to incidences of harassment and violence, strengthen respectful workplace practices, and create safe environments for employees and the broader community.

This exciting collaboration reflects the BCMEA and its members' dedication to violence prevention, respectful workplace education, and meaningful community partnerships. For more than two decades, the BCMEA has proudly supported Mission Possible and its employment and community initiatives, helping to strengthen a neighbourhood where many of its members operate — and where the Association's head office and Dispatch Hall have been located for more than 50 years.

This partnership is grounded in a shared belief that strong and resilient neighbourhoods are built when individuals are empowered with opportunity, treated with respect, and supported with dignity. 

Guided by these same values, the BCMEA and its members made a milestone investment in 2021 to bring the BMTAB program to B.C.'s waterfront workforce through a partnership with EVA BC, the BC Lions, the International Longshore and Warehouse Union Canada, and the Government of Canada. The program provides gender-based violence and harassment prevention education and equips waterfront workers with practical bystander intervention skills. Recognizing the importance of this work, the BCMEA and its members became Presenting Partners of BMTAB, helping the program's continued delivery to high schools across the province, where BC Lions players engage thousands of students in conversations about respect, healthy relationships, and violence prevention.

Building on this momentum, the BCMEA is now bringing BMTAB training to Mission Possible and other social organizations serving Vancouver's Downtown Eastside. Staff will participate in training designed to provide practical tools to support safe environments, including bystander intervention and de-escalation strategies.

"Through our valued relationships with EVA BC and Mission Possible, the BCMEA and our members recognized a natural opportunity to unite their expertise and shared commitment to creating safer, more inclusive communities.," said Mike Leonard, BCMEA President and CEO. "This exciting new partnership bridges workplace education with community impact, so everyone feels safe, valued, supported, and empowered to act - at work and in their communities."

"At Mission Possible, we believe everyone deserves to feel safe, respected, and supported in the workplace and in the community," said Matthew Smedley, Chief Empowerment Officer, Mission Possible. "Partnering with BCMEA and Ending Violence Association of BC strengthens our ability to foster a culture of empathy, accountability, and care while equipping our teams with practical tools to support one another."

Ending Violence BC welcomed the partnership as an important opportunity to broaden violence prevention education into new workplaces and communities.

"Long-term partnerships are essential to creating meaningful and lasting change," said Ninu Kang, Executive Director, EVA BC. "We are proud to continue working with BCMEA and to see Be More Than a Bystander expand into community organizations like Mission Possible Vancouver that are deeply committed to creating respectful, safe, and inclusive spaces."

Delivering BMTAB training to organizations serving some of the most vulnerable populations in B.C. reinforces the BCMEA and its members commitment to ensuring dignity, inclusion, and well-being for communities beyond the waterfront.  

About the BC Maritime Employers Association (BCMEA)
The BCMEA represents 48 maritime employers, including terminal operators, ocean carriers, and ship agents. The Association is responsible for the training, safety, dispatch, and administration of wages and benefits for 9,400 waterfront workers. Canada's West Coast ports support the safe and efficient movement of approximately $1.1 billion worth of goods every day, moving nearly 50% of Canada's total trade with partners beyond North America.

About Ending Violence Association of BC (EVA BC)
 The Ending Violence Association of BC (EVA BC) is a provincial organization that supports and strengthens survivor-serving anti-violence programs across BC. EVA BC leads coordination initiatives across sectors to improve responses to intimate partner violence and sexual violence. EVA BC also supports workplaces and organizations with training, education, consultation and resources to prevent and respond to gender-based violence.

About Mission Possible
Mission Possible is a non-profit organization that helps individuals facing barriers to employment build confidence, stability, and independence through meaningful work, training, and supportive community programs.

SOURCE BC Maritime Employers Association