March 2026 Message from the Seniors Advocate

As we enter March, I want to share a brief update with seniors, caregivers and partners across British Columbia.

The provincial budget signals government priorities for the year ahead. Unfortunately, the recently released 2026 B.C. Budget does not prioritize seniors. It maintains core funding for existing seniors’ programs and services, but does not include any major new investments to address rising cost of living, growing care needs, or the increasing seniors’ population.

Continued delays to several long-term care projects, changes to the Property Tax Deferment Program that will increase interest on deferred amounts, and expanded PST can only add to affordability challenges for many B.C. seniors. The budget is a missed opportunity to improve supports for ageing in place, such as reductions to home support co-payments, additional caregiver supports, or public coverage for the shingles vaccine.

My office will continue to monitor how these decisions are implemented and their impact on seniors and communities across the province.

I would also like to highlight that March is also Fraud Prevention Month. Scams targeting seniors remain a significant concern, and fraudsters often use increasingly sophisticated methods. Please take time to learn more about common scams and fraud attempts and best practices to keep you and your loved ones safe.

Last month, I had the honour of attending the BC Care Awards to recognize the dedication of seniors care providers across the province. Seniors Care Providers Day is an opportunity to acknowledge the challenging and inspiring work these individuals do every day to support quality of life for older adults. Congratulations to this year’s award recipients and thank you to all who provide care with dedication and compassion.

Finally, we are closely following efforts at the United Nations to create a convention on the rights of older persons. Governments recently convened the first session of a new Intergovernmental Working Group, marking an important step forward. Our office will continue to monitor this progress and advocate for the rights of older adults in British Columbia.

Sincerely,

Dan Levitt
BC Seniors Advocate