The B.C. government is reversing cuts to a program that helps parents pay for accommodation when taking their sick children to Vancouver for medical treatment.
Variety administers the B.C. Family Residence Program on behalf of the province. On June 1, Variety announced accommodation stays would be reduced from 30 nights to 15 per calendar year, and family income eligibility would be capped at $85,000.
The charity faced “difficult decisions” to maintain sustainability due to increased demand and static government funding, said Variety CEO Andrea Tang in a statement.
Health Minister Josie Osborne initially defended the funding approach on June 6.
“In the fiscal environment we’re in right now, the health ministry has been given a mandate to review programs, so we were not able to expand the funding we provide,” Osborne said.
The B.C. Conservatives criticized the move, calling it “outrageous” and “completely unacceptable.”
“It’s especially hurtful to people throughout rural B.C. who need that ability to travel with their families,” said Conservative leader John Rustad in a June 7 video statement.
On Monday, Osborne announced the health ministry would reconsider the changes. She clarified there had been no actual reduction in funding this year but acknowledged rising costs had prompted Variety’s changes to eligibility.
“I have directed my ministry to work with the Provincial Health Services Authority, Variety, and partners on options to ensure families can continue to receive these supports and that these restrictions are lifted,” Osborne said.
Premier David Eby, speaking Monday from a trade mission in Asia, said he was “incredibly concerned” about the issue and supported Osborne’s intervention.
Conservative MLA Peter Milobar criticized the government’s priorities in a press release.
“Families with sick kids in the hospital facing some of the worst moments of their lives shouldn’t be punished while this government continues to protect their own insider contracts and bloated administrative salaries,” Milobar said.
Milobar pointed to the controversial $150,000 contract with former Legal Aid B.C. CEO Michael Bryant as a special adviser on Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside, a contract Premier Eby ultimately cancelled due to backlash.
He also referenced a $58,000 contract awarded to former NDP cabinet minister George Heyman as a labour bargaining adviser, which Eby defended Monday as Finance Minister Brenda Bailey’s decision, saying he fully supports it.
As of June 10, both Variety’s and the B.C. government’s websites still list the reduced program limits.
“We’re pleased to be working closely with the government to solidify details and next steps on the restoration of program guidelines,” Variety said in a brief statement to Vista News.
