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Thanks for checking out our new website and before you read on, bookmark us right away for timely and relevant seniors care information.

We have redesigned the site to look and read more like our successful Care Quarterly newsletter. In addition to maintaining a more consistent design for the Association, we have expanded the site's capacity.

In the coming months we will be adding various features to accommodate more on-line consultation, video playback features and networking opportunities. This month we will be building our Seniors News and Links sections.

If you have ideas or things you would like added to the site, just send us an email.

Last month, the BC Care Providers Association (BCCPA) released an initial analysis that estimates the new Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) represents an annual tax increase of $10.5 million for BC non-profit and private seniors' care providers. The report concluded that without mitigation, the HST will force care providers to lay off staff and reduce service.

Earlier today, BCCPA representatives Christine Nidd, Al Jina & Ed Helfrich met with BC Finance Minister Colin Hansen to communicate the concerns of BC care providers about the impact the HST will have on quality of care. Minister Hansen listened very intently to our representations and restated his pledge to develop HST mitigation for the health sector.

We were very encouraged by the Minister's understanding of the issues confronting the health sector - particularly as it relates to impact of the HST on contracted out services. We have arranged a special meeting with finance officials before the end of the month and will meet with Minister again after that on behalf of NBC care providers.

In late July, Premier Gordon Campbell and Finance Minister Colin Hansen announced plans to harmonize the Provincial Sales Tax (PST) with the national Goods and Services Tax (GST). The 12 per cent Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) comes into effect July 2010.
Following the announcement, the BC Care Providers Association (BCCPA) was one of the first provincial organizations to express strong concern regarding the direct negative financial impact the HST may have on seniors' care. Like most sectors, care providers throughout the province were not consulted about the HST.

Initial estimates in Ontario, where the HST was announced months ago, suggest it could cost care providers there over $12 million - with layoffs likely.

These costs are attributed to residential seniors' services that only require GST now, including:

• employee development
• housekeeping & laundry
• resident outings & travel
• building maintenance
• contract services & vocational therapists
• refuse removal & pest control
• landscape & snow removal contracts

During the recent provincial election, the Government of British Columbia promised the HST would not be accepted here.

Initial analysis suggests HST will increase taxes on senior's care providers by $40 million over the government's term

The BC Care Providers Association (BCCPA) today welcomed the BC Government's Throne Speech commitment to mitigate negative impacts of the Harmonized Sales Tax (HST). An initial analysis by the BCCPA estimates the HST represents an estimated annual tax increase of $10.5 million for non-profit and private seniors' care providers.

Mission project receives Association's Annual Human Spirit Award

The BC Care Providers Association (BCCPA) today released a comprehensive guide to help community groups, schools and care providers establish local intergeneration projects that connect seniors and youth. The new guide - entitled "Creating Caring Communities" - has been produced by the BCCPA in partnership with the Government of British Columbia and is available at www.bccare.ca.

"This toolkit promotes healthy relationships between young and old citizens because making friends is part of our human experience whether you are in your first year of school or nearing the end of your life," said BCCPA President Christine Nidd. "On behalf of our members, I want to thank the BC government for supporting this project and the many educators and care providers for their important contributions."

The BC Care Providers Association (BCCPA) today welcomed Premier Gordon Campbell's appointment of the Honourable Kevin Falcon as the province's new Minister of Health.

At the same time, BCCPA CEO Ed Helfrich congratulated former Minister George Abbott for his years of service to improve the health care system in BC. The following is a complete statement from Mr. Helfrich:

This year's annual BC Care Providers Association (BCCPA) conference wrapped up in Vancouver today. Close to 250 people registered for the conference and the gala dinner on Monday night featured a sell-out crowd.

"This year's conference was one of our most successful ever thanks in large part to the participation of BCCPA members," said BCCPA CEO Ed Helfrich. "As many delegates stated during the sessions, our industry faces many challenges in the year ahead. Now - more than ever - there is strength in the numbers our Association represents."

This year's conference marked the second time BCCPA has collaborated with the Health Care Leaders of BC. In addition to the annual gala dinner, the comprehensive two-day agenda included a special trade show, presentation from BC Ombudsman and the annual BCCPA Awards presentation.

The BCCPA 2008-2009 Annual Report was released to delegates and a new Board was elected. A special conference photo gallery has now been posted at www.bccares.ca.

The following are messages directed to our members from the leaders of the three main provincial political parties.

Message to BC Care Providers Association from NDP Leader Carole James

New Democrats share the BC Care Providers Association's concerns that funding levels for residential care have not kept up with the growing and complex demands of an aging society.

There has been a dramatic change in the acuity of residents since 2002 and we are aware that care providers are now admitting residents with multiple complex care needs. Low staffing levels is a key issue to be addressed in order to improve the quality of residential care for seniors.

The BC Care Providers Association (BCCPA) today introduced new health and safety guidelines to better protect staff and residents at senior's care facilities across the province These staffing guidelines and the lack of funding from the provincial government in the recent budget are expected to lead to some providers reducing the number of new admissions in care facilities as early as this month.

BCCPA released the guidelines today as part of a supplemental submission to the BC Ombudsman's systematic review of senior's services.

"Establishing guidelines for health and safety based on workload measurement will provide our members with an important tool they can use to make placement decisions that put health and safety first," said Ed Helfrich, CEO of the BCCPA. "This resident safety grid will match staffing levels to standards of care and be a transparent tool that facilities can use to monitor the quality of care that residents receive."

In January the Association submitted a pre-budget proposal to the Government of Canada to support our Action Plan goals.

We recommended the government consider two specific strategic investments in the 2009 budget: