B.C. to receive portion of $3B in new federal funding aimed at supporting seniors care
(Burnaby, B.C.) – January 30, 2017 – Representatives of the BC Care Providers Association (BCCPA) are traveling to Ottawa this week to meet with Minister of Health Jane Philpott and Randeep Sarai, Chair of the federal B.C. Caucus. The B.C. delegation will urge the Federal Government to negotiate a new National Health Accord to ensure seniors care is funded appropriately in British Columbia.
“Since the release of our Care Can Be There plan last week, we have been clear that the federal government must play a key role in the successful delivery of new investments and innovations in care,” says Karen Baillie, President for the BCCPA. “We applaud the commitment of $3 billion in resources for seniors care. However, without the Accord, the funding cannot reach its intended targets in B.C.”
The BCCPA delegation is in Ottawa this week to take part in the Canadian Association of Long-Term Care (CALTC, pronounced “kal-tek”) annual general meeting taking place on February 2-3rd. CALTC will be meeting with a number of parliamentarians to urge them to keep seniors care as a national priority.
“We’ve had a strong response from the public since the release of our report Strengthening Care: A Made-in-BC Roadmap,” says Daniel Fontaine, CEO of the BCCPA. “The signing of a National Health Accord is a critical piece that would bring much-needed resources to our province. Minister Philpott has clearly identified that much of the new funding should be targeted toward the care of Canada’s elderly population.”
In its report the BCCPA is requesting up to $337 million in new annual investments be targeted at seniors care over the next 5 years. The four-pillar plan identifies the need for the federal and provincial governments to work with the sector to:
- Replace and refurbish older care homes
- Assist with the purchase and installation of new safety equipment such as automated sprinklers & ceiling lifts
- Develop a comprehensive training strategy to address critical shortages in trained staff in the continuing care sector
Established 40 years ago, the BC Care Providers Association (BCCPA) represents the majority of non-government providers of community care for seniors in the province. Our membership includes over 300 residential care, assisted living, home support and commercial members.
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For More Information:
Mike Klassen, Vice-President
Communications and Stakeholder Relations
mklassen@bccare.ca
604-377-5499
