A group of people gathered around a long table in an outdoor setting, enjoying food and drinks. The table is filled with plates of food, glasses of beverages, and various items, creating a lively and social atmosphere. String lights hang above, adding a warm and inviting ambiance to the scene. Photo by Priscilla Du PreezPriscilla Du Preez

Jan. 17 Biweekly Update: Social Services Key Insights

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SOCIAL SERVICES NEWS

News, updates, and stories about social care in BC

Unveiling the latest developments in social services

January 17, 2025

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Yesterday, the Government of BC’s Executive Council released mandate letters to its cabinet, outlining the government’s high-level commitments and broad policy directions. Please view it here.

Table of contents

  • Communities
  • 2025 Social Policy Forum
  • Health
  • Opportunities brought to you by the Federation
  • Drug crisis
  • Mental health
  • Housing
  • Homelessness
  • Good News

Communities

Alcohol Policy: How communities can act on a local level | BC Healthy Communities

Join a PlanH Healthy Public Policy webinar on January 30, 2025, to hear how the Town of Tofino adapts its municipal alcohol policy to support its residents. With the BC Cancer Foundation reporting that alcohol consumption is linked to seven types of cancer, healthy public policies such as those being adopted by Tofino are becoming increasingly important. The webinar will also discuss 11 recommendations from the Canadian Alcohol Policy Evaluation (CAPE) to help citizens and communities become more aware of alcohol harms. Register for the webinar here.

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Less than a month to go!

2025 Social Policy Forum

Join us in Victoria, BC, from February 12–14, 2025, for the Social Policy Forum to connect with leaders, explore key social policy topics, and help shape the future of our communities.

Member rate: $329 | Non-member: $449

Learn more and register here.

Contact info@fcssbc.ca for details.

Health

BC’s 1st physician assistants added in effort to treat rural health shortage | Creston Valley Advance

BC’s first two civilian physician assistants (PAs), Fred Bai and Eric Demers, have begun working at Saanich Peninsula Hospital as part of a pilot project aimed at addressing staffing shortages, particularly in rural areas. PAs, trained in a two-year program modelled after medical school, can conduct patient interviews, perform diagnostics, prescribe most medications, and assist in emergency care under physician supervision. Bai and Demers, both experienced PAs, joined the hospital’s emergency department on January 8, 2025, to support patient care and reduce wait times in response to growing demand. This initiative, authorized by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of British Columbia, plans to hire more PAs in the coming months. Led by Dr. Paeta Lehn and coordinated by Island Health, the program seeks to alleviate the province’s health-care crisis and improve access to care in underserved communities.

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Opportunities brought to you by the Federation

The Federation is dedicated to supporting our members and strengthening the broader community social services sector. We offer a range of ways to stay informed, build connections, and grow your skills.

Stay informed about the latest in the sector by exploring our calendar of training sessions, webinars, and events designed to help you succeed.
Get connected and expand your professional network through opportunities created specifically for community social services professionals.
Looking for a new career? Explore current job postings and find your next opportunity in the community social services sector.

Visit our website today to discover all the ways we can support you!

Drug crisis

Removing legislation not restricting public consumption of toxic substances a welcome move: mayor | Castanet

Nelson Mayor Janice Morrison welcomed the provincial repeal of the “Restricting Public Consumption of Illegal Substances Act,” which aimed to help those struggling with addiction but faced criticism for its unintended consequences. She emphasized addiction as a health issue, not a criminal one, and supported decriminalization to reduce stigma and promote access to help. The city passed a bylaw in August 2023 prohibiting public drug use in parks to protect community well-being. While decriminalization allows adults to possess small amounts of certain drugs in specific private and designated locations, public use remains illegal. However, Nelson lacks a safe inhalation site, a gap that some city officials highlighted as critical for addressing the issue effectively.

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Mental health

South Okanagan mental health fundraiser deadline extended as donations fall well below target | Castanet

Desert Sun Counselling & Resource Centre in South Okanagan has extended its Empty Bowls and Baskets holiday fundraiser deadline after falling $20,000 short of last year’s total, with only $40,000 raised toward its $75,000 goal. The fundraiser supports 24 programs addressing mental health, family support, safe housing, and crisis intervention. Acknowledging the financial challenges many face this year, the organization expressed gratitude for the donations received so far and extended the campaign until the end of January, benefiting from a federal extension due to the Canada Post strike. Desert Sun encourages the community to contribute, emphasizing that every dollar makes a difference.

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Housing

Nearly half of British Columbians $200 away from not being able to pay bills, survey finds | CBC News

British Columbians are grappling with escalating affordability challenges in 2024, as surveys reveal growing concerns over personal debt, housing costs, and rising expenses. The MNP Consumer Debt Index found that nearly half of residents feel they can’t cover expenses without incurring more debt, with 46% just $200 away from financial shortfalls and one-third already unable to meet their obligations. Housing costs, particularly rising mortgage payments outpacing income growth, are a major concern, with renters also vulnerable to unexpected expenses. Residents like Nadine Hoskin and Charles Nowakowski report significant impacts from surging grocery prices and essential costs, while experts emphasize the importance of budgeting. However, seniors, constrained by fixed incomes, face particularly tough choices as affordability pressures mount, highlighting the widespread and multi-faceted nature of the crisis.

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Homelessness

City of Penticton, Penticton Indian Band say they are working to address local homeless encampment | Penticton Now

The City of Penticton and the Penticton Indian Band are collaborating with the province to address a homeless encampment located at Fairview Road and Highway 97, a provincially governed area. This land, originally appropriated by the federal government in the 1950s for infrastructure projects, was never returned to the Penticton Indian Band. Both Penticton Mayor Julius Bloomfield and Chief Greg Gabriel emphasized the importance of ensuring safety, respect, and proper housing for those at the encampment while protecting and cleaning up the land. They are partnering with organizations like 100 More Homes, BC Housing, and Interior Health to find both short- and long-term solutions, including increased housing options. Despite providing regular support, local authorities lack the legal jurisdiction to resolve the situation fully, leaving ongoing discussions with the province essential.

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Good News

If you have any feel-good, weird, fascinating, or amusing stories you’d like to see included in this section, send them to giovani@fcssbc.ca!

Note

The articles in Federation newsletters are for informational purposes and do not relate to the Federation’s advocacy work. We want our membership to stay informed of news relevant to our sector; the inclusion of a story is not an endorsement.

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