BC NDP candidates Bowinn Ma and Susie Chant have announced a new respite centre for North Shore. By providing $4 million in funding to the North Shore Family Respite Centre, the BC NDP said it will bring the project’s funding stage across the finish line, getting shovels in the ground and building a new respite centre.
“Looking after a loved senior is incredible work that so many caregivers in North Vancouver provide,” said Susie Chant. “Caring for seniors means caring for their caregivers as well. A Family Respite Centre will allow seniors cared for at home to spend a day, a week, or more, at the centre while their caregivers recharge.”
The Family Respite Centre is part of the North Shore Neighbourhood House redevelopment. In 2023, the BC NDP government provided $11 million for Phase 1 of the redevelopment project, which, in addition to the Family Respite Centre, will deliver 89 affordable homes and 25 Adult Day Program spaces.
The Family Respite Centre will be owned and operated by Care BC. It is anticipated to be complete in Fall 2025.
“This new funding will help deliver much-needed respite care for caregivers on the North Shore, something that would be at risk under John Rustad’s plans to cut publicly-funded projects like these,” said Bowinn Ma. “This project is exactly the kind of community-oriented project that the BC NDP under David Eby will support and build all over the province.”
“The North Shore FRC will enable the caregivers of seniors diagnosed primarily with dementia and other chronic illnesses to get the periods of rest they require to continue to care for their loved ones at home,” said Inge Schamborzki, Chief Development Officer, Health and Home Care Foundation of BC. “The alternative, too frequently, is a visit to the ER followed by admission into an acute care hospital bed while waiting for a long-term care bed to become available. Seniors universally would undoubtedly much prefer to remain living in their homes as long as possible.”
In a press release, the BC NDP said it is committed to building 5,400 new and replacement beds across BC at 32 long-term care facilities.
It’s Not the ndp funding a new respite center on the north shore. It’s the BC. taxpayers!