A well-functioning seniors care sector is essential to a well-functioning health system. Long-term care, assisted living and home health services provide critical support to seniors while helping reduce pressure on hospitals and ensuring people receive the right care in the right setting. When these services lack sufficient capacity, seniors face longer waits for care, hospitals experience increased pressure, and patients may remain in hospital beds when they could otherwise be supported in the community.
B.C. faces a growing shortage of seniors care spaces as its population ages. The province will need approximately 20,000 net new care spaces by 2035 to meet future demand. Meeting this need requires sustained investment, strategic planning and meaningful partnerships with non-government providers, who bring important development expertise, investment and operational experience to expanding care capacity.
Call for Action:
BCCPA calls on government to commit to a multi-year capital plan to build and renew care homes. This plan should meaningfully engage non-government providers as essential partners in expanding capacity and delivering care spaces more efficiently and cost-effectively.
For detailed recommendations from BC Care Providers Association on addressing the shortage of care spaces for seniors and expanding system capacity, please read BCCPA’s budget submission for the 2027 Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services.
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