Last week, BC Care Providers Association CEO Terry Lake and VP Public Affairs Mike Klassen attended meetings in Ottawa as part of the delegation for the Canadian Association of Long-Term Care (CALTC). During the 3-day trip, BCCPA and CALTC reps engaged several Members of Parliament and Ministry staff around the key issues facing the continuing care sector.
Discussions took place with officials from the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister’s offices, as well as with advisors in ministries responsible for seniors, immigration, employment and training. As well, BCCPA met with members of the Pacific Caucus of the governing Liberal Party (MPs Taleeb Noormohamed / Vancouver-Granville and Randeep Sarai / Surrey Centre), a representative of the Official Opposition (MP Frank Caputo / Kamloops—Thompson—Cariboo). In addition, a meeting was held with HESA committee member and NDP health critic Don Davies (Vancouver-Kingsway).
There was strong consensus among all parties that the federal government has a role to play in addressing the health human resources crisis and ensuring that seniors and long-term care are appropriately funded in any forthcoming Canada health transfer agreement. BCCPA and CALTC committed to working with federal government and Opposition representatives toward the goal of creating a more sustainable seniors care sector focused on quality of life for those receiving care.
