Care to Chat: Building the Future Workforce wrap up

On April 16, 2026, BC Care Providers Association (BCCPA) hosted a special Care to Chat event at Elim Village titled Building the Future Workforce. This world café–style discussion event brought together long-term care and assisted living operators to share insights and explore strategies to strengthen B.C.’s health human resources (HHR).

BCCPA CEO Mary Polak commenced the program and welcomed Jared Bespalko, Regional Sales Director, Western Canada, at Savaria Patient Care. Jared also introduced the table hosts who guided the discussions:

Celeste Mullin, VP Corporate Business at Golden Life Management
Erroll Hastings, Executive Director at Zion Park Manor
Rebecca Jarvis, VP Operations at Pro Vita
Melanie Reinhardt, Director at Baptist Housing

BCCPA’s Senior Director of Policy Lara Croll then set the stage for the discussion rounds by providing an overview of B.C.’s Provincial Health Human Resources strategy. With the provincial government’s five-year HHR strategy coming to a close, groups were split up into four pillars: recruit, retain, train, and redesign, to discuss how the strategy is holding up in those key areas.

Recruitment discussions focused on improving access to incentives, strengthening pathways for internationally educated workers into seniors’ care, and enhancing efforts to attract domestic talent to the sector.

Training priorities included expanded upskilling and bridging opportunities, curriculum improvements for health care assistants and nurses, and increased leadership development for frontline and management staff.

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Retention strategies emphasized financial and professional incentives, ongoing education and skills development, and stronger mentorship supports for new and existing staff.

Redesign conversations highlighted the need for more flexible staffing hours, funding for unregulated care providers, investment in technology, and optimizing scope of practice across all health care roles.

We thank everyone who participated in these important discussions. Insights and recommendations gathered from these conversations will help inform BCCPA’s ongoing policy and advocacy efforts on this issue.

See photos from the event here.

Thank you to our sponsors for making this event possible!