Seniors

Elections BC has announced the initial 2024 BC Election results and I am absolutely thrilled to see how things played out on October 19. While recounts are scheduled for two ridings where the NDP presently lead by < 100 votes (Juan de Fuca-Malahat and Surrey Centre), and about 49,000 absentee and mail-in ballots have yet to be counted, the NDP hold a one seat lead with the BC Greens once more holding the balance of power.

Embedded within the election results are some very clear messages that party leaders should heed.

First, neither the BC Conservatives nor the BC NDP received a majority suggesting:

1. British Columbians no longer want to be guinea pigs in Eby’s tone deaf policy experiments. They want him to empower his cabinet, work hard to reach consensus with his cabinet colleagues and start listening to what regular folk are saying. Eby’s failure to obtain a majority was not unexpected. As I wrote in the Vancouver Sun on July 9, 2024:
   
   Since assuming the premier’s chair in November 2022, radical ideological-driven activism, empty promises with destructive consequences, and out-of-touch hubris embody the hallmarks of his tenure 

   But British Columbians have given David Eby a second chance under the watchful eyes of the BC Greens.

2. British Columbians did not trust the BC Conservatives enough for them to be given the keys to governance. The BC Conservatives had too many inexperienced candidates, too many candidates associated with odd conspiracy theories, and too much uncertainty surrounding them to be granted a majority. Yet British Columbians have put the BC NDP on notice that they need to do better. A strong BC Conservative caucus has emerged and that caucus will only get stronger as they gain more experience in the BC Legislature. The BC Conservatives will be eager to demonstrate why they are a government in waiting.

Second, the BC Greens were also sent a very clear message. The ecosocialist, far left direction that the present leader has taken the party did not resonate with British Columbians. The BC Green popular vote was slashed in half from the 17% obtained in 2017, the last time the BC Greens held the balance of power. And the BC Green leader was easily beaten by the BC NDP candidate in the progressive riding of Victoria-Beacon Hill.

Yet two BC Greens got elected. These were in the ridings of West Vancouver-Sea to Sky and Saanich North and the Islands. West Vancouver-Sea to Sky (and its predecessor West Vancouver-Howe Sound) has been a BC Liberal stronghold since 1991; Saanich North and the Islands was another BC Liberal stronghold since 1991 (until Adam Olsen appeared on the scene in 2013). And I was first elected as a BC Green MLA in 2013 by unseating a BC Liberal cabinet minister who had represented the riding for 17 years.

If the BC Greens want to remain relevant, they have a very clear pathway forward. And that pathway involves repositioning the party as a viable centrist option that is fiscally conservative, socially progressive and environmentally responsible. But that can only happen with a new leader at the helm who can once more inspire the centrist voters back to the party.

Are you a senior in need of assistance? Are you able to volunteer to assist seniors during this critical time? Please read on to find out how to request help or how to offer your help as a volunteer.

As part of BC’s response plan to COVID-19, supports to seniors have been bolstered throughout the province to address immediate needs so seniors can get the support they need to stay safe at home.

Safe Seniors, Strong Communities is a new initiative funded by the provincial government in partnership with the United Way Better at Home program, bc211 and community agencies throughout BC. Many community agencies in BC are deployed to provide assistance in local communities.

The Safe Seniors, Strong Communities Program is an expansion of the bc211 program, in recognition of the profound effect that  the COVID-19 pandemic is having on many seniors. The program is designed to match seniors who need support with non-medical essentials, to volunteers in their community who are willing to help.

Assistance is focused on the following services:

• Grocery shopping and delivery
• Meal preparation and delivery
• Prescription pickup and delivery
• Phone and/or virtual friendly visits

It is easy for seniors to request assistance and for volunteers to apply.

By phone, central intake is available by dialing 2-1-1 from anywhere in the province.

You can also register online for the new Safe Seniors, Stronger Communities Program at http://www.bc211.ca/

Seniors are encouraged to reach out and connect. Many seniors live independently and may not already be connected to agencies in their community. This new program may be a positive legacy of the COVID-19 pandemic – more seniors will be connected with local services and remain connected after the crisis has passed.

Volunteers will be vetted and required to complete the Minister of Solicitor General’s Vulnerable Sector Record Check. Volunteers and seniors will be matched via postal code with the nearest COVID-19 community response agency.

Minister of Health Adrian Dix created the Safe Seniors, Strong Communities (SSSC) committee, comprising BC Seniors Advocate Isobel MacKenzie and MLA’s from all parties in the BC Legislature. This initiative is the result of the work of this committee. I am very grateful for their work and rapid response to this critical need for seniors.

Call 2-1-1 or visit bc211.ca if you are a senior in need or would like to volunteer to help a senior in your community. The helpline takes calls 7 days/week, from 8:00am to 7:00pm.