Liberal, NDP leaders announce plans to improve seniors' care in BC

The leaders of both the Liberals and New Democrats have made
seniors’ care announcements in British Columbia’s provincial
election campaign.

Both party announcements focus on keeping seniors in their home
longer, while the Liberals also added a plan to improve long-term
care homes to its election platform.

While campaigning in North Vancouver, Liberal Leader Andrew
Wilkinson announced a $7,000 annual tax credit for seniors’ at-home
services and a $1-billion plan to replace and upgrade care homes.

• See also: 
  • Another minority government would be good for British Columbia: Green leader
  • Nearly 500,000 mail-in ballots requested amid pandemic election
  • Elections BC clears Liberal candidate of vote by mail corruption claims

The Liberal plan is similar to the $1.4-billion, 10-year capital
plan the NDP announced Wednesday, although Wilkinson says his
approach would see all seniors in private long-term care rooms over
five years, not 10.

Many long-term care homes in BC have been devastated by
COVID-19 and Wilkinson says the tragedy can never happen again.

NDP Leader John Horgan, who’s campaigning in Comox, BC,
announced expanded health-care education spaces and funding for
seniors’ home care, saying the former Liberal government rationed
services and cut back on staff.