Victoria, B.C. (June 5, 2026) – BC Care Providers Association (BCCPA) CEO Mary Polak will appear before the Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services this morning in Victoria, B.C., urging the provincial government to make meaningful investments in seniors’ care in Budget 2027. Her presentation will highlight recommendations from BCCPA’s 2027 Budget Submission, Homes Not Hospitals, aimed at helping the province respond to growing pressures across the seniors care sector.
“With the cancellation of seven government long-term care construction projects, it is crucial that the government clearly outlines a path forward, including the role of non-government operators in expanding capacity and addressing gaps in publicly funded care,” says BCCPA CEO Mary Polak.
In Homes Not Hospitals, BCCPA calls on the Committee to support action in four key areas: fair and sustainable funding, growing system capacity, developing the workforce, and improving access to home and community care.
The submission makes four key recommendations:
- Modernize Long-Term Care Funding: Establish a modernized long-term care funding model that reflects the true cost of delivering person-centred care across British Columbia, including the cost of HEABC-bargained collective agreements.
- Strengthen the Care Workforce: Invest in a tailored human resources strategy for the seniors care sector that ensures older adults are supported by a robust supply of well-qualified health care workers. The strategy must include targeted investments to achieve an average of four hours of direct care for each senior.
- Expand Seniors Care Capacity: Develop a multi-year capital investment plan to expand system capacity across the seniors care sector, including building new and renewing existing long-term care and assisted living spaces, leveraging the capacity of the affiliate care sector.
- Support Aging in the Right Place: Establish a refundable tax-credit to offset the costs of self-funded home health services or independent living services that enhance the ability to “age in place,” and reduce or delay the need for assisted living or long- term care services.
“Non-government operators deliver the majority of care in this province,” adds Polak. “They are ready to work with government on practical and more affordable solutions that strengthen capacity, support the workforce, and improve care for seniors.”
“I look forward to appearing before the Committee and continuing to work together to strengthen seniors’ care in British Columbia. We hope that the Committee will consider these recommendations as it develops its 2027 Budget.”
BCCPA CEO Mary Polak will be available for media interviews after 9:30 a.m. following her presentation to the Standing Committee on Finance at the BC Legislature.
A full copy of BCCPA’s 2027 budget submission is digitally available here.
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MEDIA CONTACT
Tiffany Trownson
Director of Public Affairs
tiffany [at] bccare.ca
c. 604-362-0962
ABOUT BCCPA
Established in 1977, BCCPA is the leading voice for B.C.’s seniors living, wellness and care sector. Our growing membership base includes nearly 600 long-term care, assisted living, independent living, home health, associate, and commercial members across British Columbia.
