Earlier this week, BC Care Providers Association (BCCPA) and EngAge BC successfully wrapped up our 46th Annual Conference at the Victoria Conference Centre. Titled Taking Care of Business, the conference brought over 500 delegates and exhibitors to a new location – beautiful Victoria, B.C. There, participants enjoyed a balance of educational sessions and networking events along the scenic Inner Harbour.
The Association would like to extend gratitude to our speakers, sponsors, exhibitors and delegates for their support in continuing to make our annual conferences the premier event in Western Canada.
#BCCPA2023 Photo Albums
Download photos from our 46th Annual Conference:
- Plenary, keynote and concurrent sessions
- Trade Show exhibitors
- Welcome Reception and Dinner
- Cocktail Reception & Dancing Through The Decades
- Photo Booth photos (password: CrystalGardens)
Conference Highlights
On Sunday, delegates were welcomed at our pre-conference events – the World Café: The Culture Club and the Spirit of Victoria Food Tour. While some delegates enjoyed Victoria’s culinary highlights, Culture Club attendees discussed enhancing diversity and inclusion. The event included Dr. Katherine Chubbs (President & CEO of Good Samaritan Canada) and Darin Froese (CEO of New Vista Society).
During the Conference Opening, BCCPA and EngAge BC Board President, Ron Pike, welcomed delegates and introduced a special message from Premier David Eby. Other elected officials also provided welcoming remarks, including Hon. Kamal Khera, Canada’s Minister for Seniors, and Hon. Adrian Dix, B.C. Minister of Health. The Minister announced $14 million over two years for the Association’s EquipCare BC program. MLA Shirley Bond was also in attendance.
Plenary sessions included keynotes from hard-hitting provincial political columnist, Vaughn Palmer, and from world-record setting endurance athlete and two-time best-selling author, Steph Jagger.
In the session, It’s Our Business to Care, Chief Labour Market Economist at the Ministry of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills, Matt Ayres, provided delegates with an overview of the labour market trends and opportunities in the care economy over the next ten years. This plenary also brought B.C. Seniors Advocate, Isobel Mackenzie, to the stage, where she spoke to the need and commitment for seniors care. The session closed off with a panel discussion moderated by the Association’s very own CEO, Terry Lake, and also featured Board President and CEO of Elim Village, Ron Pike, as well as Nitin Jain (CEO & President, Sienna Senior Living) and Rita Thibault (Principal, Westbridge Group Valuation Partner).
Safety Den, SafeCare BC’s Dragons’ Den-inspired event, brought together innovative ideas from finalists who competed for the grand prize of $1,000 (healthcare category) and the prestigious Safety Innovation of the year Award (commercial category). Congratulations to the following winners:
Healthcare Category
1st place: The Gardens at Qualicum Beach
2nd place: Eden Gardens
3rd place: Sienna Senior Living
Commercial Category
Winner: HME Home Health
Runner up: Handicare
Runner up: Music Care by Room 217
The conference also included concurrent sessions on relevant topics such as health human resources, aged-friendly communities, leadership, mentorship, psychological health and safety, injury prevention, and building collaborative relationships with families in long-term care. Concurrent speakers included:
- Lynn Hancock, Strat. Priort. Recruit. & Reporting, Ministry of Health
- Miranda Mason, Executive Director of Health Workforce Planning and Strategic Initiatives, Ministry of Health
- Angela Grottoli, VP, Asset Manag. & Partner Relations, Chartwell Retirement Residences
- Mike Klassen, Councillor, City of Vancouver
- Gavin McIntosh, Vice President of Operations and Finance, The Care Group
- Jodi Mucha, Executive Director, BC Healthy Communities Society
- Stephen Bennett, CEO, Affordable Housing Societies
- Wynona Giannasi, Partner, Howegroup
- Jennifer Hystad, Partner, Howegroup
- Ann Marie Leijen, CEO, Maplewood Care Society
- Amy McCallion, Chair, Alzheimer Society of BC
- Katherine Chubbs President & CEO, Good Samaritan Canada Paola
- Paola Gatica, Executive Associate, Good Samaritan Canada
- Erin Beaudoin, Executive Director, Eden Gardens
- Danny Birch, Founder & Co-CEO, Hero Home Care
- Nitin Jain CEO & President, Sienna Senior Living
- Salimah Walji-Shivji, CEO, AgeCare
- Saleema Dhalla, CEO, SafeCare BC
- Jonny Morris, CEO, Canadian Mental Health Association
- Joyce Black, President, National Pressure Inujry Advisory Panel
- Lesley Telford, Advocate, Alzheimer Society of B.C.
- Mary Dewar, Advocate, Alzheimer Society of B.C.
- Heather Cooke, Provincial Coordinator, Knowledge Mobilization, Alzheimer Society of B.C.
- Mariana Hudson, Strategic Lead, Education, Alzheimer Society of B.C
In addition to Taking Care of Business, the conference also included several social events, such as the Sunday night welcome reception, dinner and night cap.
On Monday evening, delegates enjoyed a cocktail reception and the unforgettable Dancing Through the Decades event, where they enjoyed dinner, dancing and live music at the historic Crystal Gardens. Activities included a photobooth and a game of Name That Tune, with winners:
- $2500: Lori Sidjak, Executive Director, Pinegrove Place
- $1000: Caroline Johnston, Executive Director, Douglas Care, Trillium.
- $500: Sujata Connors, CEO, Menno Place
- $250: Jennifer Fisher, GM, Optima Evergreen Hamlet at Fleetwood
After yet another successful annual conference, BCCPA and EngAge BC look forward to hosting the next annual conference in 2024, returning to the spectacular Fairmont Chateau in Whistler, B.C. Stay tuned for more information!
BCCPA and EngAge BC would like to thank its valued sponsors for their tremendous support and generosity in making this event possible.
