Picketing B.C. public sector workers attacked with bear spray: union

VICTORIA — The president of a union representing British Columbia's public service workers says he is "deeply disturbed" by violence aimed at its members on the picket line, including an incident where members were assaulted with bear spray.

Paul Finch says in a statement that the attack that occurred outside the Royal BC Museum comes "in addition to reports of yelling, spitting, racialized and homophobic verbal assaults."

He says any violence against the peacefully striking BC General Employees' Union workers is unacceptable.

Victoria police confirmed they are investigating a report of what they called an "irritant deployment" on Belleville Street on Tuesday around 7:30 p.m.

The department says in a news release that a group of people reported feeling respiratory distress, which sugge