The Strathcona Standard

 North Island MLA Anna Kindy is calling on Premier David Eby to reverse a decision that means more seniors will suffer in hospital hallways.

  On Tuesday Kindy, who is the health critic for the Official Opposition BC Conservative Party, posted a statement on social media. She says Campbell River desperately needs the 153-bed long-term care (LTC) home promised by Eby back in July 2023.

  “This facility was supposed to improve dignity and quality of life for seniors in our community. Instead, we continue to face years of inaction even though we desperately needed another long-term care facility a decade ago,” she said.

  The new hospital, only opened in 2023, already cannot keep up, she pointed out.

  “This past month overcapacity was at record levels with our hospital built for 95 beds running at 161 beds. That means stretchers in hallways and family rooms throughout the hospital,” she said. “Many of the beds are occupied by seniors languishing for weeks, months and even years for a bed in a LTC home.”

  Local governments, including the Comox Strathcona Regional Hospital District which already has its $50 million contribution to the project ready to go, only found out about the indefinite delay after last week’s provincial budget was released. Seven care homes around the province, including a facility in Campbell River planned next to the Yucalta Lodge on 2nd Avenue, have been dropped from the list of projects promised funding.   

Kindy’s full statement can be read below.

Posted on X, Facebook by Anna Kindy on Feb. 24, 2026

  The situation for seniors in our region has reached a breaking point.

  In the recent Provincial Budget, we learned that the promised 153 bed Campbell River long term care facility is once again being delayed, despite being announced with great excitement back in July 20/23. These cuts are a direct reflection of the fiscal mismanagement by this Eby government, who after inheriting a surplus, is now running a 13 billion deficit and we are on our way in tripling our deficit in BC.

  Our Comox Strathcona Regional Hospital Board has already committed 50.3 million dollars towards the estimated 134-million-dollar cost, and every delay means higher construction costs in the future. What is even more troubling is that there was no mention of a future commitment in budget speech. 

  Meanwhile the province is also pausing seven long term care projects across BC including Campbell River. There are 7 thousand seniors currently waiting an average of 290 days for placement in BC, an increase of 200 percent since 2016.

  Premier Eby originally described the Campbell River project as a vibrant new home for seniors including a 10 bed hospice unit, a 26 bed convalescent care unit and a 26 bed specialized population unit located beside the North Island Hospital. This facility was supposed to improve dignity and quality of life for seniors in our community. Instead, we continue to face years of inaction even though we desperately needed another long-term care facility a decade ago.

  Experts warn that delays will push even more seniors into hospital beds which are already overcrowded. Our hospital in Campbell River is chronically running at serious overcapacity (125-140%) and this past month overcapacity was at record levels with our hospital built for 95 beds running at 161 beds. That means stretchers in hallways and family rooms throughout the hospital. 

  Many of the beds are occupied by seniors languishing for weeks, months and even years waiting for a bed in a LTC home. With a projected future need of 16 thousand long term care beds province wide, the situation is becoming impossible to ignore.

  Here at home the reality is devastating. Seniors have nowhere to turn.

What we must remember here is that senior care is a continuum of care which includes home support, adult day program, independent living, assisted living and care giver supports such as respite care. This is not just a long-term crisis, but it is also a continuum of care crisis.

  When planning our future needs for LTC, we should also look at the following key evidence.

• 12.5% of seniors admitted to LTC in BC could have remained at home with proper support.
• Home support costs about $15,000/year and LTC costs is about $100,000/year.
• Home support clients in rural areas receive 23% fewer hours compared to clients in urban areas.
• Family caregivers provide 80% of all care for seniors at home and respite care and other senior services are needed to prevent caregiver burnout.
• Canada spends only 18% of LTC funding on home care compared to about 50% in countries such as Denmark and across OECD countries about 69% of LTC recipients receive care at home.

  Home care supports are minimal and inconsistent due to chronic understaffing and families are burning out trying to provide 24-hour care.  Many seniors want to “age in place” so there are solutions that can be implemented immediately.

• Expand home support hours and reduce financial barriers to home support.
• Ensure home support needs reflect actual needs.
• Support family caregivers by expanding respite services and adult day program.
• Expand community-based programs and assisted living availability.

  Seniors who have contributed to our communities for their entire lives deserve dignity, respect and access to proper care. It is time for government to put their fiscal house in order and act with urgency to support our seniors with not only much need long-term care beds but also expansion of home supports so our seniors in BC can choose to “age in place”. 

  They deserve no less.