With a mere four days to go before #BCCPA2017 – our 40th Anniversary Conference and Celebration – begins, comes a welcome greeting from Canada’s Minister of Health, the Hon. Jane Philpott, for our conference delegates. Minister Philpott sends her correspondence along with her regrets at not being able to attend the conference in person due to a scheduling conflict. The Government of Canada will be represented at the conference by Randeep Sarai, MP for Surrey-Centre and chair of the Pacific Caucus.
The Government of Canada announced significant new investments in home and community care last February in a joint news conference with BC Minister of Health Terry Lake. Earlier that month, BCCPA CEO Daniel Fontaine had met the Minister as part of the CALTC delegation, and urged greater cooperation between the province and federal government.
The following is the full text of Minister Philpott’s letter to BC Care Providers Association and conference delegates.
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Message from the Minister of Health
BC Care Providers Association (BCCPA)
Celebrating 40 Years
Whistler, BC I May 28-31, 2017
I am pleased to welcome everyone to the BC Care Providers Association 40th Annual Conference and Celebration.
Forty years is a tremendous anniversary and certainly a proud milestone. This year’s theme, “Providing 40 Years of C.A.R.E: Collaboration, Achievement, Research and Excellence,” marks the decades of hard work the BCCPA has done to improve seniors’ lives. I would like to congratulate you on this milestone and wish you well in your continued work and collaboration.
Like you, the Government of Canada is committed to the health, well-being and quality of life of Canada’s seniors. We know the importance of healthy aging and having access to needed health care services. As confirmed in the 2017 Budget, the Government of Canada plans to strengthen health care through targeted funding of $11 billion over 10 years to the provinces and territories, including $6 billion for home care. This investment will provide improved access to home care as well as community and home-based palliative care services.
In addition to this funding, we will continue to support the essential work you do by partnering with all levels of government and key health organizations, as well as researchers across the country. We look forward to helping make the health care system more responsive and better able to meet the health needs of seniors.
Our Government applauds your professionalism and dedication in providing residential care, home care, assisted living, and home support for 40 years.
I hope you enjoy this wonderful and meaningful conference.
Signed,
The Honourable Jane Philpott, P.C., M.P.
