Vernon, B.C. (October 6, 2026) – The cancellation of a proposed 250-bed long-term care project in Vernon is raising new concerns about the sustainability of seniors’ care in B.C.
As a result of uncertainty around future operating costs and funding, Park Place Seniors Living has cancelled the project, which had been in development since 2007 and was expected to include 150 long-term care beds, 100 assisted living units, and additional seniors housing.
While we were pleased to see that the BC NDP announced yesterday that they plan to move forward with the previously cancelled seven long-term care projects, this still falls short of the projections from the Office of the Seniors Advocate.
“The current government has no discernable plan for seniors care,” says Mary Polak, CEO of BC Care Providers Association (BCCPA), an organization representing nearly 600 operators of long-term care, assisted living, home health, and independent living across the province. “There is no workforce strategy, there is no funding model and no plan to build the 20,000 new long-term care beds that will be needed by 2035.”
According to BCCPA, uncertainty surrounding the provincial government’s planned imposition of a provincially bargained collective agreement with health care workers is making matters worse.
“This is not an argument against fair and competitive compensation for care workers,” says Ian West, former VP Operations at Park Place Seniors Living, the organization behind the cancelled Vernon project. “It is about whether operators can responsibly invest in new capacity when compensation, staffing and service requirements are determined externally, but funding to meet those obligations remains uncertain.”
BCCPA says these challenges can be addressed through targeted investments and policy reforms. Through its Homes Not Hospitals campaign, the Association is calling on government to adopt their five-point plan to expand seniors’ care capacity, strengthen the workforce, ensure sustainable funding, support aging in place, and create fairer rules for retirement living.
“This cancellation should serve as a warning,” adds Polak. “Without a clear plan, more projects will be delayed or abandoned, leaving B.C. seniors with fewer care options and longer waits for the services they need.”
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MEDIA CONTACT
Jamie Lozano
Manager, Communications
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 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.
