June 10, 2025
Parteek Singh Mahal
After facing strong opposition for cut on funding for family residence program, the British Columbia government states it is working to reverse changes that slashed accommodation funding for out-of-town parents whose children received specialized hospital care in Vancouver.
Health Minister Josie Osborne said that she has asked staff to review the family residence program after receiving criticism for changes to the program that became effective June 1.
Children’s charity Variety, which administers the government-funded program, had recently announced that accommodation coverage was being reduced from 30 days per hospital visit to 15 days per calendar year.
Osborne stated that there had been “no reduction in base funding” for the program this year, but she understood Variety’s costs had increased, requiring the changes.
She added that she has directed the ministry to work with the Provincial Health Services Authority, Variety, and others to ensure the restrictions are lifted as quickly as possible.
They “should not be full of anxiety about how to access housing or accommodation for their family (in) one of the most expensive housing markets in the world, Vancouver.”
This program subsidizes accommodation for eligible families who live outside the Lower Mainland with children receiving treatment in Vancouver at BC Children’s Hospital, Sunny Hill Health Centre, the BC Cancer Agency, or the neo-natal unit at BC Women’s Hospital.
Osborne had been asked about the changes on Friday and said the health ministry had received a mandate to review programs, adding that her ministry would do everything possible to assist families.
Reports about the cuts had sparked an outcry from the Opposition B.C. Conservatives, who blamed the government for the “disgusting” cuts.
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