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May 9 Provincial Election: Standing up for seniors in Saanich North and the Islands

The Saanich Peninsula is home to a growing seniors population. Our seniors are living longer, staying healthier, and leading more active lives.
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Contributed Saanich North and the Islands BC Liberal candidate Stephen Roberts.

The Saanich Peninsula is home to a growing seniors population. Our seniors are living longer, staying healthier, and leading more active lives.

As the chair of two hospice societies and the Lady Minto Hospital Foundation, I see up close the delivery of health care to our seniors population, and effective seniors care is a key priority for me. Through record investments, our BC Liberal government has shown it is a key priority for them too.

Many seniors will soon pay less for health care, thanks to our government’s recent changes to MSP premiums. As of January 1, 2018, British Columbians with an annual household net income of up to $120,000 will see their MSP premiums reduced by half; the first step in eliminating those premiums altogether.

As you would expect, seniors are often healthier and happier in their own homes and communities. The Better at Home program, launched in February 2012, provides non-medical home supports services, helping seniors live independently for as long as possible. And through increased funding for rental assistance programs like SAFER, our government is ensuring seniors are not only supported in their home communities, but can afford to stay there too.

The creation of affordable rental housing is a key piece in keeping seniors in their homes for as long as possible. In the past year, our government announced more than $920 million to build nearly 5,300 new units of affordable rental housing - the largest-ever investment in affordable housing at one time. With many of these units intended for seniors, this investment is good news for British Columbians throughout the province. Just last week, the government announced $4.5 million to develop an additional 52 units of affordable housing and improve existing facilities on Salt Spring Island, right here in our riding. This is an investment I am proud to have advocated for.

For many seniors, there does come a time when it’s necessary to transition to residential care. Last month, government announced $500 million in funding to improve care for these individuals. This investment will ensure that seniors in all residential care facilities, public and private, consistently receive an average of 3.36 direct-care hours per person, per day - the amount recommended by our province’s seniors advocate. Combined with enhanced home care services and monitoring, this investment helps ensure comprehensive support for seniors of all abilities.

Our seniors have cared for us, and now it’s important that we care for them. Once elected, I would work to build on our government’s solid foundation and further strengthen seniors care in our community.

Stephen P. Roberts, BC Liberal Candidate for Saanich North and the Islands

(This is the sixth op/ed contributed by a local candidate in the May 9 provincial election. The PNR has offered space to each of the declared candidates.)