Whereas a recent report by the Office of the Seniors Advocate highlights the significant challenges faced by seniors aged 65 or older living in rural regions of British Columbia BC, including limited access to healthcare, lower incomes, and inadequate options for long-term care and affordable housing; And whereas rural seniors constitute a significant portion of BCs population, with projections indicating a further increase in their proportion by 2032; Whereas the resilience of rural seniors is admirable, but it is evident that they face substantial barriers due to the lack of resources and supports available in their communities: Therefore be it resolved that the UBCM acknowledge the findings of the Seniors Advocates report and recognize the urgent need to address the inequities faced by rural seniors in British Columbia; And be it further resolved that the UBCM call upon the provincial government to take immediate action by implementing the following recommendations put forth by the Seniors Advocate: - Establish a ministry or minister devoted to addressing the unique needs of rural communities in BC.
Ministry of Health The Province recognizes the unique needs of older adults living in rural communities in accessing the resources and supports they need to age with dignity and independence. Following the October 2024 provincial election when the new BC Government formed, the following positions were created to support addressing these needs: - Minister of State for Local Governments and Rural Communities to work with rural and remote communities, regional districts, municipalities, and First Nations to identify the unique needs and opportunities these smaller communities need to grow and thrive. - Parliamentary Secretary for Rural Development reporting through the Minister of Finance to support rural economic development to help ensure that every British Columbian feels the benefit of a growing economy; and - Parliamentary Secretary for Rural Health reporting through the Minister of Health to engage with key interest holders, including frontline service providers in rural and Indigenous communities, to seek their advice on how best to deliver accessible, effective care in their unique rural and remote communities. While these positions have a distinctly rural lens, their work will align and support that of the Parliamentary Secretary for Seniors and Long-Term Care also reporting through the Minister of Health, whose work engages service providers, advocates, seniors and others to identify opportunities for improving seniors care across the province.