The provincial government is taking significant action to ensure seniors and people with complex health needs in publicly funded care homes receive consistent, high-quality care, while also supporting the workers who provide it. A new memorandum of agreement between the Ministry of Health, the Health Employers Association of B.C. (HEABC), and the Facilities Bargaining Association (FBA) will bring eligible care-home operators under HEABC membership, guaranteeing that workers are covered by collective agreements and consistent labour standards.
Health Minister Josie Osborne says the agreement strengthens the workforce, reduces turnover, and ensures seniors receive reliable, familiar care. More than 5,000 workers, most of them women and racialized, will benefit from fair wages, pensions, and other protections.
The transition will occur in two phases, beginning October 2026 and concluding by October 2027, with wage levelling continuing for HEABC-eligible sites until at least March 2027. Immediate and long-term improvements include stronger recruitment and retention, more stable staffing, and better continuity of care for residents.
Parliamentary Secretary Susie Chant emphasizes that stable health care starts with treating workers fairly, while HEU representatives and care aides highlight the positive impact on both staff and seniors. Family advocacy groups note that stable, familiar staffing leads to more personalized, resident-centered care.
This agreement is a key step toward a fair, consistent, and resilient long-term care and assisted-living sector in British Columbia.
