B.C. seniors advocate says 2026 budget pause affects long-term care projects

Dan Levitt of the B.C. Office of the Seniors Advocate said the 2026 provincial budget pauses several planned long-term care projects and that thousands of seniors are waiting for beds.

The provincial budget unveiled on Tuesday includes a pause on several infrastructure projects tied to long-term care. Finance Minister Brenda Bailey announced the pause, which affects planned facilities in multiple communities. Dan Levitt, the B.C. seniors advocate, said the province is already facing long wait lists and a shortfall of care beds. He emphasized that families and caregivers are feeling the effects of limited capacity. Key points: - The budget pause affects several planned long-term care projects, including sites in Abbotsford, Campbell River, Chilliwack, Kelowna, Delta, Fort St. John, and Squamish. - The advocate reported an average wait time of about 10 months for entry to long-term care. - The office said there is a current shortfall of about 2,000 beds while roughly 7,000 people are waiting for placement. - The Ministry of Health projects a much larger future need, estimating about 16,000 beds will be required as the population ages. Summary: The announced pause reduces near-term construction of several long-term care sites while demand and wait lists remain. Officials reported a current bed shortfall and projected much larger future need as the population ages. Undetermined at this time.