Editor:
The surprise VCH-Trellis contract signed in 2016 sparked outrage for many reasons. An important community decision had been made without any local input. Privatization, we said, would result in a loss of jobs, lower wages and benefits, and seniors’ care would suffer because of staff turnover.
Since then, because of public pressure and because we have a new government, the minister committed that the jobs, wages, and benefits of workers would be protected. They were subsequently protected in an unprecedented agreement, and Trellis even agreed to become a member of the Health Employers Association of BC. For some, while this was not everything they wanted, it was considered a victory.
While we have been waiting for additional long-term care spaces, government has invested in supporting seniors to remain in their own homes with additional home care hours. It has eliminated the “first available bed” policy, and it has sponsored courses for health care assistants including one in Powell River and one on the Lower Sunshine Coast, with 20 seats at Capilano University starting in September. The province has also increased oversight of long-term care facilities and invested over $70 million in bringing up to the province’s standards.
While I will inform the minister of some remaining concerns about the Trellis project, my priority will be twofold: ensuring the planning for Shorncliffe and Totem reflects our communities’ needs, and to continue to advocate for more long-term spaces on the Sunshine Coast, because as soon as the new spaces are built, we will already need more.
Nicholas Simons, MLA, Powell River-Sunshine Coast
