News & Articles Archive

Further to previous posts on the BC Harmonized Sales Tax (HST), the BC Care Providers Association is very pleased to report that we have now received formal confirmation from the Ministry of Health that contracted for-profit residential care providers will receive mitigation to address the negative financial impact of the HST.

This new development complements previous commitments we have secured from the government regarding HST rebates for non-profit care providers and hydro costs.

The BC Deputy Minister of Health has contacted health authorities and directed them to ensure "contracted residential care service providers are kept whole with respect to the financial impact of the HST".

With the opening of the House of Commons this week, the BC Care Providers Association (BCCPA) has sent an open letter to BC MPs urging them to make the challenges of an aging society - as outlined in the recent report by the Parliamentary Budget Officer - a top priority in the coming session of Parliament. The letter read as follows:

"This week, the House of Commons will convene in Ottawa for a new session of Parliament. As usual, Members of Parliament will be preparing legislation and debating the big national issues of the day.

On behalf of our members across the province, the BC Care Providers Association (BCCPA) is urging you to make the challenges associated with our aging society a top priority in the coming session.

On December 17, 2009, the BC Ombudsperson released the first of two reports on her systematic investigation into the care of seniors in British Columbia. It includes a set of 10 specific recommendations in three categories; seniors' rights, transparency and the role of family councils. The BC Care Providers Association (BCCPA) has been very supportive of the Ombudsperson's investigation. Many of our members have welcomed her into their facilities to provide a front-line account of the many complex challenges residents and care providers face across the province.

At the time of the report's release, BCCPA thanked Kim Carter and her team for their comprehensive analysis of our sector and promised to prepare a full response to her recommendations. That response is now complete and it has been forwarded to Health Minister Kevin Falcon and the Ombudsperson's office. Read the full response to Ombudsman's Report. BCCPA is committed to working with the provincial government to renew our seniors' care partnership and make sure the Ombudsperson's recommendations are put into action for the seniors we serve.