Editor:
Keith Maxwell’s letter (“Strong, misguided signal,” July 28) misconstrues public opposition to the replacement of existing Sechelt care homes as ideological opposition to the market economy. In reality, public unease originated in Vancouver Coastal Health’s arbitrary decision to privatize local seniors’ care, without consultation. Over 10,000 signatures on a petition underscore the depth of community concern.
Citizens are right to be upset that for-profit care is displacing existing non-profit homes, operated as part of the public health care system. There’s a large body of evidence supporting the idea that for-profit care simply does not reach the same standards as public facilities.
For the Sechelt community, an equally worrisome consequence of the proposed privatization is the loss of seasoned caregivers with close ties to their residents. All the existing care providers stand to lose their jobs, while only some may be rehired, at lower wages and with poorer benefits.
BCNU believes that communities should have a say in the way residential care is delivered, and that public money should prioritize higher quality seniors’ care. Care delivered in publicly owned or not-for-profit facilities has shown itself to be successful on the Sunshine Coast and elsewhere.
Playing one community off against another, as Trellis is now doing with its proposed move to Gibsons, will do nothing to meet the overall need for additional residential care beds on the Sunshine Coast.
Christine Sorensen, Vice President and Acting President, BC Nurses’ Union
