British Columbia is facing a looming crisis in long‑term care (LTC) capacity unless urgent action is taken — according to a report by B.C.’s Seniors Advocate, Dan Levitt, tabled in the legislature on July 29, 2025 Reddit+6Coast Reporter+6Bowen Island Undercurrent+6. Currently, the province operates around 29,595 publicly subsidized long‑term care beds, which is already more than 2,000 beds short of meeting existing demand Western Wheel+2Coast Reporter+2Bowen Island Undercurrent+2. Based on demographic projections, this shortfall is expected to balloon to 16,858 additional beds by 2036 — roughly a 50% increase over today’s capacity The Tyee+3Coast Reporter+3Bowen Island Undercurrent+3.
Alarming Wait‑Time Trends
The number of seniors awaiting entry into LTC has surged from 2,381 in 2016 to 7,212 in 2025 — a tripling of the wait‑list ca.style.yahoo.com+6Coast Reporter+6Western Wheel+6. Meanwhile, the average wait time has nearly doubled to 290 days by 2024, and is expected to continue rising if capacity doesn’t keep pace with demand National Newswatch+3Coast Reporter+3Western Wheel+3.
The Cost of Inaction
Levitt estimates that each LTC bed costs about $1 million in capital expenditure, bringing the total for the projected expansion to $16 billion over the next decade, not including operational costs roughly estimated at $100,000 per bed annually ca.style.yahoo.com+3Coast Reporter+3Western Wheel+3.
He warns that failing to invest in LTC infrastructure also shifts the financial and caregiving burden onto families, forcing loved ones to leave work to provide care — ultimately reducing provincial productivity and increasing household stress Western Wheel+3Coast Reporter+3The Tyee+3. Seniors stranded in hospital beds while awaiting LTC beds also create bottlenecks across emergency and acute care systems The Tyee+1Western Wheel+1.
Beds per Senior Declining
The report notes that long-term care availability per 1,000 seniors aged 75+ has declined from 77 beds a decade ago to 58 today, and is projected to fall to 41 by 2036, a roughly 30% drop despite rising need Western Wheel+3The Tyee+3Coast Reporter+3.
Recommendations for Reform
Levitt’s report urges the government to:
- Expand the LTC Bed Expansion Plan beyond 2030 and significantly increase annual targets to cover the projected shortfall National Newswatch+4The Tyee+4Western Wheel+4.
- Scale up community supports, including public home care, adult day programs, and respite services, which remain underutilized and often costly for families The Tyee.
- Improve transparency and wait‑list navigation, so seniors and caregivers understand wait‑times and application progress The Tyee.
- Add subsidized housing options, like assisted living and supportive housing, which have not kept pace with senior population growth The Tyee.
- Set clear wait‑time benchmarks and targets, similar to hip or knee surgery wait-list reform The Tyee.
- Deliver a comprehensive action plan by October 1, International Day of Older Persons, with timeline and measurable deliverables Western Wheel+3The Tyee+3Coast Reporter+3.
Government Response
B.C.’s Health Ministry acknowledged the report and affirmed it’s reviewing how future LTC beds are planned and delivered, but has not yet committed to a binding action plan with timelines The Tyee. Premier David Eby welcomed the findings and pledged collaboration, noting that the province has added or replaced over 5,500 beds since 2017 — though still far short of projected needs Western Wheel+2Coast Reporter+2Bowen Island Undercurrent+2. Opposition critics say previous government inaction, particularly between 2007 and 2017, laid the groundwork for today’s crisis Bowen Island Undercurrent.
Levitt’s report is a stark warning: without a major expansion in long-term care infrastructure and supportive services, B.C. risks serious health system strain and incompletely supported aging populations. The proposed reforms aim to offer seniors dignity, relief for caregivers, and a more sustainable healthcare future.
