Leading up to the May 9 provincial election, Powell River Peak is asking each of the candidates in the Powell River-Sunshine Coast riding a series of questions. So far we have tackled issues of transportation and resource development, and this issue we look at health care. This week also marks the addition of BC Cascadia Party candidate Reuben Richards, who threw his hat into the election ring early last week.
What can be done to improve health care services in Powell River?
Kim Darwin, BC Green Party
Health care in Powell River can be improved by providing reliable, affordable access to a diverse range of health care providers, such as nurse practitioners, a range of health care approaches and proactive treatments, such as physiotherapy and massage, mental health care and addictions management. All of these improve recovery, reduce the need for more costly acute care and provide a better quality of life.
Community-based health care, specifically smaller health care organizations that are flexible enough to quickly respond to individual needs, is also key to maintaining and improving health.
The job of government is to support reasonable, evidence-based decisions that structure the delivery of health care according to the specific needs of each community. The current health care structure under Vancouver Coastal Health has created a lack of local funding and community input into health care service delivery. Having smaller, community-based organizations would allow our community to advocate for, and have a direct impact on, our own health care.
In addition, an integral part of any health care discussion is healthy, balanced food. Food is considered medicine in most traditional healing modalities. Our care homes and hospitals should be encouraged to source local, fresh food. Food is vital to our well-being and should be non-negotiable when determining suppliers in all of our health facilities.
A BC Green government would also eliminate the severe MSP premiums system and shift the cost of our health care system into a fair and equitable, tiered income tax system where premiums are based on a person’s ability to pay.
In addition to raising three wonderful children, Kim Darwin was a legal assistant for 16 years before opening her own mortgage broker business. She is president of the Sechelt Chamber of Commerce and was the elected provincial council secretary for the BC Green Party for two and a half years. She is an herbalist, having studied traditional Chinese, Ayurvedic and Western herbal medicine.
Nicholas Simons, BC New Democratic Party
We have excellent facilities and dedicated professionals in all areas of our health care system, and we have robust standards in a community where residents are all connected through our geographical isolation.
But one current unmet need in Powell River is emergency addiction treatment programs for people needing low-barrier, enhanced admission. Over the past 16 years our social safety nets have been so slashed that one year into an opioid overdose crisis we have not expanded our capacity to respond.
Health care services for older adults have been badly underfunded, leading to a dramatic increase in for-profit privatization. Large corporations have found a footing in our long-term care sector. BC ranks eighth among the 10 provinces in health care spending per person, which is startling considering our elderly demographic.
BC’s Seniors Advocate found that 91 per cent of care homes failed to meet our provincial standards, and 100 per cent of for-profit homes failed. A responsible government would recognize this as a problem that needs addressing.
Also, a study released last week demonstrates the failure to invest in home care over the past 16 years has left our seniors with less access to home and community care than they would have had in 2001.
Despite clear promises in the last two elections, our government has not ensured that everyone has a family doctor. This failure strains other parts of our health care system and leads to poorer health outcomes.
Nicholas Simons was first elected MLA for Powell River-Sunshine Coast in 2005. Before entering politics, Simons spent more than 15 years working in health, justice, social services and child welfare, including 10 years as director of health and social services for Sechelt (shíshálh) First Nation. Simons, an accomplished cellist, is also a past president of the Sunshine Coast Arts Council.
Mathew Wilson, BC Liberal Party
Our health, and that of our loved ones, is critically important. BC’s Liberal government has made significant investments in health care.
A $606.2-million investment has been made in two new North Island hospitals that provide health services to Powell River residents. We also use St. Paul’s Hospital in Vancouver, which is being replaced.
Locally, the government made a $400,000 investment in hospice care, ensuring everyone has compassionate care as their life’s journey draws to a close.
I toured Willingdon Creek Village and Evergreen Care Unit facilities, meeting with many of the residents, care aides and nurses. The Liberal government has committed to increase seniors' care to 3.36 hours per day, resulting in 36 extra hours of care per day, and 16 to 20 full-time jobs at both facilities.
Many younger citizens are struggling with mental health and addiction issues, and they will benefit from $165 million in mental-health funding, including $5 million in startup costs for the new BC Centre on Substance Abuse, and $2 million for annual operating costs, as well as $45 million for the Ministry of Children and Family Development to provide resources for mental-health counselling and treatment.
When it comes to health care, we can always improve. As your MLA, I will advocate for much-needed specialized services, such as psychiatry, speech therapy and physiotherapy, support the current focus on doctor attraction and the greater delivery of health-care funding for our community needs.
Raised on the Sunshine Coast, with family in Powell River, Mathew Wilson currently lives in Roberts Creek and is father to two daughters. He works for the federal government; 10 years in Ottawa, most recently five years commuting to work in Vancouver. Among his many experiences is five years negotiating agreements with first nations on resource economic development and residential school claims.
Reuben Richards, BC Cascadia Party
Health care services could be improved in Powell River by hiring more doctors. The recent donation from Jim Pattison of millions of dollars to St. Paul's Hospital is an indication that we are lacking federal and provincial funding. Health care services are not funded equally across the country.
We are the only province that charges a flat rate for MSP premiums. BC should eliminate the MSP; it is unfair and unnecessary. MSP is a regressive tax because it consumes a larger share of income for lower-income people than those with higher incomes. A family making $40,000 a year pays $1,800 a year, the same as a family making $400,000, a gross disparity.
People making a higher-than-average wage typically have their MSP premiums paid by their employer, while people with precarious jobs, low wages and no benefits plan are left having to pay for themselves.
MSP rates have doubled since 2001. The province collects almost as much from MSP as it does from corporate income tax. These hikes coincided with major income tax cuts that benefited upper income British Columbians the most.
These premiums enter general revenues and the amount they raise cover only 13 per cent of what BC spends on health care. There is no reason we can't replace revenues collected from MSP with fairer taxes so that we fund health care the same way we fund public schools, policing and other public services.
We would pay a little more income tax, but savings on MSP would outweigh the cost for all but highest-income families.
Reuben Richards was born and grew up in Powell River. His family consists of his wife and three teenagers: two boys and a girl. He has worked in the forest industry on the Sunshine Coast his whole life, the past 20 years as a log scaler. Two years ago, he took a position with Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations. He also has a market garden, growing garlic.
Next week’s question: What areas of education are in most need of improvement and what would you do to address them?
