Burnaby, B.C. (October 5, 2026) – The BC NDP’s election campaign plan for long-term care fails to adequately address wait lists faced by B.C. seniors, BC Care Providers Association (BCCPA) CEO Mary Polak says.
The plan contains no target for how many long-term care beds the BC NDP would build if it forms government – just a recommitment to projects David Eby already promised and then cancelled in his most recent budget.
“Seniors belong in homes, not hospitals,” said Polak. “Reannouncing projects that were cancelled is not the answer. A failure to commit to how many long-term care beds will be built is not the answer. No timelines are not the answer. The BC NDP owes B.C. a better plan for seniors’ care that addresses the fundamental problem – too few long-term care beds to meet the demand.”
More than 7,000 seniors are waiting for space in a long-term care residence, the BC Government’s own numbers show. The average wait time has grown to almost a year. The BC NDP plan won’t address the problem, Polak says.
The BC NDP plan is also short on action to keep seniors out of hospitals. The commitment to add more health workers in long-term care homes is a good first step; however, the suggestion that teams of health workers are needed to get people out of hospitals fails to address the real reason seniors are unable to move into long-term care.
“Seniors aren’t waiting in hospitals because there are too few health workers. They are in hospitals because there are too few long-term care beds, and the BC NDP plan fails to address this reality,” Polak said. “Seniors who need long-term care shouldn’t be in the hospital in the first place. They need homes, not hospitals.”
BCCPA has a plan. Five Priorities. One Plan. Zero Excuses.
Learn more at homesnothospitals.ca
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MEDIA CONTACT
Jamie Lozano
Manager, Communications
jamie [at] bccare.ca
About BC Care Providers Association
Established in 1977, BC Care Providers Association (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.
