Burnaby, B.C. (September 17, 2024) – Ahead of the October 19 provincial election, BC Care Providers Association (BCCPA) will be hosting an all-candidates debate on the subject of seniors living and care. This event is the first installment of season 12 of the popular “Care to Chat” series.
WHEN: Tuesday, September 24, 2024 at 10:30 AM to 12:00 PM. Media is asked to arrive by 10:15 AM.
WHO: Moderated by long-time broadcaster and seniors’ care champion, Jody Vance, this debate will feature current B.C. Minister of Health Hon. Adrian Dix (MLA, Vancouver-Kingsway) and candidates from the BC Conservatives and the BC Green Party.
WHERE: The Oasis building at Elim Village (9025 160 St, Surrey, BC V4N 2X7). Free parking is available.
WHAT: An all-candidates debate on the role of the provincial government in supporting seniors’ care.
WHY: By 2036, more than one in five British Columbians will be over 65. The capacity of current long-term care infrastructure is insufficient to meet the current demand, let alone the future demand. Preparing the province to care for B.C.’s aging population will require all hands on deck. As a result, seniors’ care issues have increasingly gained attention as a major voter concern among British Columbians ahead of the provincial election scheduled for October 19, 2024.
“With a looming senior care crisis, it has never been more important for candidates and parties to lay out their visions for addressing the huge gap in this vital part of the healthcare system,” says BCCPA CEO, Terry Lake.
The focus of this debate, featuring prominent candidates from the three major political parties – NDP, Conservative and Green parties – will be the provincial government’s role in supporting the seniors’ population. Some important topics that will be discussed include: investments in long-term care beds, aging-in-the-right-place tax credit, long-term care revitalization fund and climate change, the province-wide staffing crisis, and family caregivers. Candidates will debate and respond to key questions on their respective party’s commitment to these issues.
Event information can be found here.
-30-
MEDIA CONTACT:
Jamie Lozano
Media & Communications Specialist
jamie@bccare.ca
604-736-4233 ext 236
About BCCPA:
Established in 1977, BC Care Providers Association (BCCPA) is the leading voice for B.C.’s continuing care sector. Our growing membership base includes over 500 long-term care, assisted living, and commercial members from across British Columbia. Through its operating arm EngAge BC, the organization represents independent living and private-pay home health operators.
BCCPA members support more than 19,000 seniors annually in long-term care and assisted living settings and 6,500 independent living residents. Additionally, our members deliver almost 2.5 million hours of home care and home support services each year.
