Burnaby, B.C. (January 21, 2025) – Last week, Premier David Eby issued a mandate letter to B.C.’s Minister of Health, Hon. Josie Osborne, directing her to prioritize seniors’ needs by “[improving] the delivery of care for seniors and stewarding public investments made in seniors’ care to enhance efficiency and effectiveness, given the growing population of seniors in our province.”
While this statement acknowledges the urgent need for improved seniors’ care, concerns remain about whether the proposed measures will address the significant challenges facing long-term care in B.C.
“While this mandate appears to recognize the dire need to meet the demand for seniors care, especially long-term care and assisted living, it is clear that the current $3 billion plan falls short,” says Terry Lake, CEO of the BC Care Providers Association.
With the estimated cost approaching over $1.5 million per resident room, Lake says this is not the best use of taxpayer money, especially considering that the mandate letter references cost-effectiveness in delivering care.
“Affiliate providers that currently operate two thirds of long-term care spaces in B.C. have demonstrated they can build these homes at a substantially lower cost than government,” explains Lake. “Health authorities should be directed to issue request for proposals to build these homes as soon as possible to accelerate the construction of these urgently needed spaces.”
Despite projections by the Conference Board of Canada indicating that B.C. will require 30,000 new long-term care beds by 2035, the current plan aims to only deliver 3,000 new beds by 2030.
The Office of the Seniors Advocate also estimates wait times for long-term care are currently over nine months. This demonstrates the need to build more homes faster and more efficiently than the current plan.
“Families are really struggling with access to appropriate care for their elderly loved ones who often are left in hospital beds for a prolonged period,” adds Lake. “Building more homes faster will alleviate this stress on families and on the health care system as a whole.”
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MEDIA CONTACT
Jamie Lozano
Manager, Communications
jamie@bccare.ca
604-736-4233 ext 236
X (Twitter): @BCCareProviders
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.
