How B.C.’s parties plan to dole out cash to seniors, the fastest-growing population

B.C. turned a corner this week with the revelation that there are now more seniors than children in the province.

So said the 2016 Census: it showed people aged 65 and over making up 18.3 per cent of the population last year, more than the 14.9 per cent represented by residents aged zero to 14.

1:09 Census 2016: Everything you need to know

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The trend has numerous implications: for public policy, for social security spending and, inevitably, for the promises that politicians make to voters.

And that’s certainly true of the 2017 provincial election, as all three major parties jostle for the votes with a litany of promises focused on seniors’ needs.

READ MORE: For the 1st time, more seniors than children living in Canada

All three parties in the 2017 B.C. election have a “robust seniors care plank in their platforms,” Daniel Fontaine, the CEO of the B.C. Care Providers Association, told Global News.

B.C.’s major parties have made promises around issues such as home care, rental assistance and public transit.

Here’s a look at some of their pledges to B.C.’s fastest-growing population:

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BC Liberals

• Active Seniors Tax Credit – to “support and promote seniors leading active healthy lifestyles.”
  • Cost: estimated at $2.5 million in 2018/19 and 2019/20
• Expanding the Home Renovation Tax Credit for Seniors and Persons with Disabilities – This tax credit is designed to help people aged 65 or older, or those with disabilities, with the cost of renovating their homes to make them more accessible or functional. It allows eligible residents to claim 10 per cent of renovation expenses up to $10,000. The Liberals promise to double this to $20,000.
  • Cost: estimated at $2 million in 2018/19 and 2019/20
• Respite Tax Credit – The BC Liberals plan on providing up to $2,500 for people who are caring for seniors or family members who have disabilities
  • Cost: estimated at $5 million in 2018/19 and 2019/20
• BC Transit and HandyDART funding – The BC Liberals promise to increase funding for BC Transit and HandyDART, a ride service for elderly people and those with disabilities, based on transit usage and population need
  • Cost: estimated at $5 million in 2019/20
• Rental assistance – The party has pledged to continue its support for the Rental Assistance Program (RAP) and Shelter Aid for Elderly Renters (SAFER), which helps seniors of low and moderate incomes afford their monthly rent
• Residential care facilities – Invest $500 million to see that seniors in facilities receive a minimum 3.36 care hours per day

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BC NDP

• BC Ferries Seniors’ Discount – Bring back a discount that allows seniors to travel for free on BC Ferries from Monday through Thursday, except on holidays
• Home care – Alleviate demand for emergency beds and acute care by investing in home and long-term care; support relationship-based caregiving and make sure said relationships are not disrupted
• A legislative committee – Strike an all-party Select Standing Committee on Seniors that would make recommendations to the Legislature
• Strengthen seniors’ centres – Create a fund and work with communities to build seniors’ centres, which “play a key role in reducing isolation, providing critical social supports and helping seniors stay at home longer”
• HandyDART – The BC NDP would work to ensure that the ride service would not pass passengers by and that seniors and people with disabilities could make medical appointments and other commitments on time
• Rental assistance – “Broaden support” for Shelter Aid for Elderly Renters (SAFER)

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BC Greens

• Home care – Invest $35 million over four years to help seniors stay in their own homes instead of have to move into care homes
• Care homes – Invest $200 million over four years to address staffing levels and ensure they meet government guidelines
• Medically Assisted in Dying Strategy – Work to support training of nurses and doctors so that they can provide medically-assisted dying services, and ensure people receive said services in an “appropriate time frame and in appropriate settings”
• Support for unpaid caregivers – Look at ways to help people who are not being compensated as they care for loved ones. That could include a basic income pilot, which would give residents, including caregivers, a guaranteed income
• White collar crime – Invest $15 million to broaden the tracking of business fraud including phone scams and examine ways to thwart financial crimes. The BC Green Party notes that seniors, in particular, are targeted by financial criminals