Current Issues – All

• B.C. Seniors Advocate invites British Columbians to participate in landmark survey of people in residential carePosted on May 10, 2022
  The Office of the Seniors Advocate is launching the second province-wide survey of the experiences of residents living in all 294 publicly-subsidized long-term care homes in B.C. and is calling on all interested British Columbians to join the survey team. Members of the survey team will include British Columbians from a wide variety of backgrounds … Read More
• Property Tax Deferment ProgramPosted on April 29, 2022
  Did you know you may be eligible to defer your property taxes? Property tax deferment is a provincial low-interest loan program that helps qualified homeowners pay their annual property taxes on their principal residence. Taxes can be deferred for any year the homeowner lives in the home and continues to qualify for the program. Who … Read More
• T5007 Tax Slips for Recipients of the Shelter Aid for Elderly RentersPosted on March 29, 2022
  This year, the CRA has issued T5007 tax slips to SAFER recipients who received more than $500 from the program within the last year. Find out about how this will impact your income tax.
• One-Time GIS Payment for Seniors Affected by CERBPosted on March 7, 2022
  The federal government will provide an automatic, one-time repayment to alleviate the financial hardship of seniors who saw a loss of GIS or Allowance.
• B.C. Speculation Tax and Vacancy TaxPosted on March 2, 2022
  The speculation and vacancy tax is an annual tax based on how owners use residential properties in major urban areas in B.C. Over 99% of British Columbians are exempt from the speculation and vacancy tax. Generally, a British Columbian owner is exempt from the tax if the home is their principal residence.
• Income and Affordability SurveyPosted on February 4, 2022
  The Office of the Seniors Advocate is undertaking a survey of B.C. seniors living on low incomes to identify challenges and determine if the financial supports available to them meet their needs. The survey will be mailed out to randomly-selected recipients of the B.C. Senior’s Supplement. The survey deadline is April 8, 2022.
• Home Support Survey 2021/22Posted on February 3, 2022
  Home Support Survey Deadline Extended: March 4, 2022
  The Office of the Seniors Advocate has launched the second province-wide survey of Home Support recipients and their families/caregivers. All home support clients and their family/caregivers are invited to participate in this survey.
• Income Support Impacted by CERBPosted on October 7, 2021
  The Canadian Economic Recovery Benefit (CERB) in 2020 may have impacted your federal Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) payments.
• Wildfires in B.C.Posted on July 15, 2021
  More than 1500 properties in B.C. remain under evacuation order due to wildfires raging nearby.
• Heatwave 2021Posted on June 30, 2021
  A heatwave can be challenging for many British Columbians, especially the elderly.
• Tax PreparationPosted on April 3, 2021
  The deadline to file taxes is April 30, 2021. Here are some tips.
• Fraud Prevention ResourcesPosted on March 9, 2021
  March is Fraud Prevention Month, and with reported cases of fraud going up, seniors are encouraged to increase their awareness of current scams and learn how they can protect themselves.