Was more than just ideology driving the changes to home support?
A letter has been sent to B.C.’s Auditor General Carol Bellringer to review the Ministry of Health’s decision to cancel contracts with 6 non-government home care providers and expropriate over 4,000 staff into government-operated health authorities. The move by the Ministry comes after zero consultation with the sector in advance of the announcement.
“Since BCCPA learned of the expropriation of over 4,000 in the home support sector, we have been vocal that this is a process that has not adequately taken into consideration the needs of seniors,” says BCCPA CEO Daniel Fontaine. “Since the Ministry has not provided the public with their business case for the expropriation, we believe the truly independent office of the Auditor General can get the facts out.
“If the office can review the expense of a wood splitter by B.C. Legislature staff, surely looking into the expropriation of 4,000 private sector employees into government positions is merited.”
Non-partisan and independent of government, the Auditor General reports directly to the Legislative Assembly (similar to the BC Ombudsperson and Children and Youth Advocate) and provides assurance about government’s overall operations. With the largest one-time expansion of the public service about to happen in B.C. and the potential job losses being in the hundreds, it is felt that the scale of this decision merits an independent review.
“By our calculations, British Columbians could be on the hook for a significant increase in the cost of home support — as high as over 30 percent more — without an extra hour of home support resulting from it,” adds Fontaine. “The costs are only one concern that the public should have, as we think service disruptions are also highly likely. An independent audit would help the public to understand the true consequences of the expropriation.”
In February 2017, the federal government in a joint statement with the province announced a 10-year $785 million investment in home care in B.C. The letter to the Auditor General also asks if any of the approximately $80 million in increased annual funding has been spent to date, or if any new programs or services have been provided as a result of this investment.
“Costs for home care will keep climbing with our aging demographic,” says Fontaine. “Given the secretive way this policy decision was announced, can the public be confident that there was more than just ideology driving the change? We think the Auditor General can help the public to know.”
Photo credit: Jesse Hlady
