The following includes excerpts from the package I prepared for the meeting with Island Health's James Hanson, Vice-President of Community Clinical Operations & Support Programs, at the UBCM 2025 convention. Outcome: Mr. Hanson stated that Ayre Manor expansion was again on Island Health's radar given Sooke's Island-leading low care-beds per capita for seniors aged 65+.
BC Context
* Budget 2026 reality check ~ More Money for Health Care in BC Budget, But Long-Term Care Projects Face Delays (Times Colonist, Feb. 18, 2026)
"Some projects will be delayed, however, including long-term care homes planned for Campbell River — planned for completion in 2027 —Abbotsford, Chilliwack, Kelowna, Delta, Fort. St. John and Squamish.
The province cited “unsustainable” costs of up to $1.8 million per long-term care bed. It said it wants to produce a standard modular design for all long-term care homes in the province, with the cost savings going into more beds. In some cases, the redesigns result in fewer floors and fewer beds.
Seniors advocate Dan Levitt said he appreciates that provincial standards for building design are coming that could reduce the overall cost of long-term care, but added: “We should be building them now.”
In a decade, there will be 400,000 more seniors in B.C. — one in four people in the province will be 65 or older — requiring the province to build 2,000 beds a year rather than the 600 it produces now, he said. “Putting off those projects for the future will only make them more expensive, as the cost of building will be more expensive then.”
Not building more long-term care facilities also means more seniors will be going to the hospital, maybe by ambulance, and waiting in the ER, Levitt said. If they are admitted, they’ll be using an acute-care bed that could be used by patients requiring that level of care, he said.
The province said $447 million in federal contributions will help support health services for seniors, including out-of-hospital treatment for complex medical conditions and improving the safety and quality of long-term care facilities.
But Levitt said he would have liked to see coverage for seniors of the shingles vaccine, which costs hundreds of dollars. “That would make a big difference in the lives of seniors and take pressure off the health-care system.”
* Seniors Advocate Says Province Has No Action Plan To Increase Long-Term Care Beds (Times Colonist, Oct. 3, 2025) "The seniors advocate’s report found the long-term care system has gone from providing 77 beds per 1,000 people a decade ago to 58 beds today. Levitt said that number will fall to 41 beds by 2035/36 if beds continue to be built and replaced at the current rate."
Sooke Seniors Stats
As identified in 2021 Canada Census
- Age Distribution - "In 2021, 3,055 persons aged 65 and over were enumerated in Sooke (District municipality), representing respectively 20.3% of the total population. In comparison, for Canada, the proportion of seniors was 19.0% in 2021."
0-14: 2,405 (15.9%)
15-64: 9,625 (63.8%)
65+: 3,055 (20.03%)
- 1,370 households or approx. 24% of Sooke households earn $50k or less
- 4,555 households or approx. 76% of Sooke households earn $50k or more
- our care bed ratio is approx. 1: seniors aged 65+
Ayre Manor Seniors’ Housing
Website
- Sooke Elderly Citizens' Society Board of Directors
- Irene Todd (Chair), Beth Cox (Vice-Chair)
- Kerry Williams - Executive Director
Sooke population at time of construction in 2008: Approx. 10k.
- As of January, 2025: 17k.
- Projected for 2038: 22,399.
- Development Permit for shovel-ready new 56-bed wing secured from the District in 2013, renewed in 2017, expired in 2021.
- Province and Island Health initially committed to operational funding and positive talks continued through COVID-19 outbreak.
- Post-pandemic, the Provincial focus shifted to the Community Health Centre/Urgent Primary Care Centre on Sooke’s town centre Lot A following the Province’s announcement in March, 2023.
- Sooke seniors seeking assisted living and complex care are now advised to apply for spaces at the future $224m 306-bed senior care facility in Royal Bay, approx. 40 minute drive from Sooke + Ministry of Health press release
Wait lists at Ayre Manor
It is recommended that applicants for Assisted Living and CC start their applications at least two years prior to anticipated occupancy
* Assisted living -- 35 on list for 5 private-pay beds; Island Health maintains list for other subsidized beds
* Independent living –105 on list
* Complex care – 14 on list for 1 private pay bed; Island Health maintains list for remaining 30 beds.
* Option: Partnership with a private developer to build the new wing
- BC Housing’s SAFER program might provide housing subsidies
- Talks with the Saunders Family Foundation underway
2025 Advocacy
- Support for expansion expressed by BC Seniors’ Advocate Dan Levitt during a tour of Ayre Manor organized by District of Sooke council on March 28, 2025.
- Sooke Elderly Citizens’ Housing Society President Irene Todd met with Member of Parliament Stephanie McLean, the federal Secretary of State (Seniors), and MLA Dana Lajeunesse in August, 2025.
- Sooke delegation (Gray, Bateman) and MLA Lajeunesse met with Island Health's James Hanson on Sept. 22 during the Union of BC Municipalities convention.
- This follows up on annual UBCM delegations led by Mayor Tait that advocated with the Ministry of Health. Ayre Manor needs have been cited in addition to the primary focus on the Community Health Centre/Urgent Primary Care Centre.
Ayre Manor Backgrounder
Owned by Sooke Elderly Citizens' Housing Society (SECHS) and supported by Island Health, BC Housing and the District of Sooke, Ayre Manor offers four levels of affordable, comfortable and complete seniors' housing and care in Sooke, British Columbia. The SECHS was formed in 1968 by the Old Age Pensioners Organization and obtained charitable status.
History
Original 18 independent living cottages were built between 1972 and 1984. Assisted Living and Complex Care opened in 2008 with 25 Assisted Living suites and 31 Complex Care rooms. 2 hospice beds were opened in 2017.
- Construction begins on Ayre Manor (March 2007) (SNM, broken link)
- "$18 Million Campus of Care Opens In Sooke" (Province of BC/Island Health press release, Sept. 8, 2008)
- Government of BC Ayre Manor Construction Backgrounder (2008)
"Total capital cost of this project is $18,312,579
- The Province provided $15.12-million in interim construction financing.
- The Sooke Elderly Citizens’ Housing Society provided the land, valued at $2.89 million.
- The District of Sooke provided $180,824 in reduction of municipal levies and has waived property taxes since 1997.
- The CRD provided $22,959 in reduction of municipal levies as well as a $63,000 loan for project development funding.
- Sooke School District also provided $35,796 in reduction of municipal levies.
Operational funding includes:
- The Province, providing housing and hospitality subsidies of up to $4,374,421 over 35 years.
- Vancouver Island Health Authority is providing annual funding of $2-million for the 30 residential care beds, $148,000 for 10 assisted living units and annual operational funding of up to $350,000 for personal care services.
- Beckley Farm Lodge will operate the facility on behalf of Sooke Elderly Citizens’ Housing Society."
- Expansion Plans for a new 56-bed wing (2012) (SNM, broken link)
- Expansion Plans Stalled (2017)
- Ayre Manor Anniversaries (June, 2018)
- Unique Approach to Recruiting Nurses (2019)
- Accreditation Canada acknowledgement (March 2021)
- Hospice Care Spaces (June 2025)
Board members wanted (Feb. 11, 2026 note from Amy Gillard) ~ "As a Director on the Board of Ayre Manor, I would like to invite you to consider joining me on the Board. We are one of Sooke‘s premier employers, and a well respected community jewel. At Ayre Manor we provide independent living, assisted, living, and complex care housing, as well as hospice care. Volunteering with such a solid organization is rewarding and worthwhile. There’s an opportunity here to expand your knowledge in property management, healthcare, finance, human resources and more. We’re happy to support, mentor and provide professional development to people who are a good fit."
Facilities & Services
- Assisted Living Apartments -- 25 bright 550 sq. ft. one-bedroom Assisted Living apartments. Each apartment is wheelchair accessible and has a small kitchenette, sitting room, private bathroom, ensuite storage and a balcony or patio. Hospitality services include 3 meals a day, weekly housekeeping and linen laundering, and daily optional social activities.
- Complex Care -- Thirty-one private 260 sq. ft. Residential Complex Care suites
- Independent Living Units -- 18 independent living units in a studio or one-bedroom configuration, each with a full kitchen, living room, bathroom and outdoor space.
* Ayre Manor Quick Facts (Office of the Seniors' Advocate)
Canada-British Columbia Home and Community Care and Mental Health and Addictions Services Funding Agreement (Sept. 2024)
Provincial
BC Office of the Seniors' Advocate
* Strategic Plan 2025-2027
- Report: From Shortfall to Crisis: Growing Demand for Long-Term Care Beds in B.C. (2025) + release
- Press release: New data: Seniors’ population increase outpacing long-term care (Jan. 27, 2026)
“We are at the beginning of a rapid increase in the number of people 65 and over and we know the gap between the seniors’ population and older adults requiring public services will only widen if we don’t act now,” said Dan Levitt, BC Seniors Advocate. “Government’s own data shared in our report last July shows 16,000 more long-term care beds will be needed over the next decade and as of today, the Province has no plan to meet this demand”
Quick Facts:
• B.C.’s senior population (65+) is projected to increase 26% in the next 10 years.
• The Ministry of Health’s current ten-year bed expansion plan aims to increase the number of new long-term care beds by 10% (2,935 beds) from 2025 to 2030; no additional beds are planned after 2030.
• Today, there is a 2,000-bed shortfall and that gap widens and grows over 700% to meet the ministry’s projected future long-term care demand of 16,000 beds by 2035/36."
* Province of BC - Seniors home page
* HealthLink BC - Healthy Aging
* Community Care Services
* Regulated under the Community Care and Assisted Living Act
* Directory of Assisted Living Residents in BC
* Provincial guidelines for opening and operating an assisted living residence + handbook
* BC Ministry of Health - Seniors Action Plan + PDF + Progress Report (2013) + What We've Done (last updated in 2021)
"The goal of these actions is to establish an improved province-wide system of seniors' care by:
• Appointing an advocate to assist and protect seniors receiving public and private community and health care services and ensure complaints are resolved.
• Expanding non-medical home support to help seniors stay at home longer
• Providing clear policies and measurable standards for home support, home health, assisted living and residential care services.
• Ensuring that provincial inspection, quality assurance programs, enforcement and staff training in residential facilities align with standards.
• Strengthening protections from abuse and neglect, including improved protections for those who report care concerns or complaints.
• Increasing transparency and accountability through public reporting of the quality of care in publicly funded care facilities, such as patient and family satisfaction, and the incidence of falls. Privately funded facilities will have an opportunity to participate.
• Improving system flexibility and sustainability."
* Home Renovation Tax Credit for Seniors and Persons With Disabilities
10% tax credit on certain home improvements - FAQ
Federal Government
* Programs and Services for Seniors
- Canada Pension Plan
- Old Age Security
- Guaranteed Income Supplement
- Canada Dental Care Plan
- Services for Veterans
New Horizons for Seniors Program
Community-based projects are eligible to receive up to $25,000 in grant funding for 1 year.
Age Well At Home Program
Funding in two streams; last open in 2022
- Age-Friendly Communities
- Aging In Place + Safe Living Guide
- Canadian Bar Association - Welcome to the Secretary of State for Seniors (May 2025)
* main issues identified ...
- UN's Convention on the Human Rights of Older Persons (draft introduced in 2025)
- Neglect of vulnerable adults in care homes
- Coercive control of older adults
- Need for a national anti-fraud strategy
- Message from Stephanie McLean (Sept. 2025) + subscribe for newsletters
- National Seniors' Day (Oct. 1) + guidebook + toolkit
- Community Volunteer Income Tax Program
- CyberSecurity initiatives
- Respiratory Diseases
* This post in memoriam and fond remembrance of the late Jean Mary Bateman, Ayre Manor resident from 2011-2016
BC Context
* Budget 2026 reality check ~ More Money for Health Care in BC Budget, But Long-Term Care Projects Face Delays (Times Colonist, Feb. 18, 2026)
"Some projects will be delayed, however, including long-term care homes planned for Campbell River — planned for completion in 2027 —Abbotsford, Chilliwack, Kelowna, Delta, Fort. St. John and Squamish.
The province cited “unsustainable” costs of up to $1.8 million per long-term care bed. It said it wants to produce a standard modular design for all long-term care homes in the province, with the cost savings going into more beds. In some cases, the redesigns result in fewer floors and fewer beds.
Seniors advocate Dan Levitt said he appreciates that provincial standards for building design are coming that could reduce the overall cost of long-term care, but added: “We should be building them now.”
In a decade, there will be 400,000 more seniors in B.C. — one in four people in the province will be 65 or older — requiring the province to build 2,000 beds a year rather than the 600 it produces now, he said. “Putting off those projects for the future will only make them more expensive, as the cost of building will be more expensive then.”
Not building more long-term care facilities also means more seniors will be going to the hospital, maybe by ambulance, and waiting in the ER, Levitt said. If they are admitted, they’ll be using an acute-care bed that could be used by patients requiring that level of care, he said.
The province said $447 million in federal contributions will help support health services for seniors, including out-of-hospital treatment for complex medical conditions and improving the safety and quality of long-term care facilities.
But Levitt said he would have liked to see coverage for seniors of the shingles vaccine, which costs hundreds of dollars. “That would make a big difference in the lives of seniors and take pressure off the health-care system.”
* Seniors Advocate Says Province Has No Action Plan To Increase Long-Term Care Beds (Times Colonist, Oct. 3, 2025) "The seniors advocate’s report found the long-term care system has gone from providing 77 beds per 1,000 people a decade ago to 58 beds today. Levitt said that number will fall to 41 beds by 2035/36 if beds continue to be built and replaced at the current rate."
Sooke Seniors Stats
As identified in 2021 Canada Census
- Age Distribution - "In 2021, 3,055 persons aged 65 and over were enumerated in Sooke (District municipality), representing respectively 20.3% of the total population. In comparison, for Canada, the proportion of seniors was 19.0% in 2021."
0-14: 2,405 (15.9%)
15-64: 9,625 (63.8%)
65+: 3,055 (20.03%)
- 1,370 households or approx. 24% of Sooke households earn $50k or less
- 4,555 households or approx. 76% of Sooke households earn $50k or more
- our care bed ratio is approx. 1: seniors aged 65+
Ayre Manor Seniors’ Housing
Website
- Sooke Elderly Citizens' Society Board of Directors
- Irene Todd (Chair), Beth Cox (Vice-Chair)
- Kerry Williams - Executive Director
Sooke population at time of construction in 2008: Approx. 10k.
- As of January, 2025: 17k.
- Projected for 2038: 22,399.
- Development Permit for shovel-ready new 56-bed wing secured from the District in 2013, renewed in 2017, expired in 2021.
- Province and Island Health initially committed to operational funding and positive talks continued through COVID-19 outbreak.
- Post-pandemic, the Provincial focus shifted to the Community Health Centre/Urgent Primary Care Centre on Sooke’s town centre Lot A following the Province’s announcement in March, 2023.
- Sooke seniors seeking assisted living and complex care are now advised to apply for spaces at the future $224m 306-bed senior care facility in Royal Bay, approx. 40 minute drive from Sooke + Ministry of Health press release
Wait lists at Ayre Manor
It is recommended that applicants for Assisted Living and CC start their applications at least two years prior to anticipated occupancy
* Assisted living -- 35 on list for 5 private-pay beds; Island Health maintains list for other subsidized beds
* Independent living –105 on list
* Complex care – 14 on list for 1 private pay bed; Island Health maintains list for remaining 30 beds.
* Option: Partnership with a private developer to build the new wing
- BC Housing’s SAFER program might provide housing subsidies
- Talks with the Saunders Family Foundation underway
2025 Advocacy
- Support for expansion expressed by BC Seniors’ Advocate Dan Levitt during a tour of Ayre Manor organized by District of Sooke council on March 28, 2025.
- Sooke Elderly Citizens’ Housing Society President Irene Todd met with Member of Parliament Stephanie McLean, the federal Secretary of State (Seniors), and MLA Dana Lajeunesse in August, 2025.
- Sooke delegation (Gray, Bateman) and MLA Lajeunesse met with Island Health's James Hanson on Sept. 22 during the Union of BC Municipalities convention.
- This follows up on annual UBCM delegations led by Mayor Tait that advocated with the Ministry of Health. Ayre Manor needs have been cited in addition to the primary focus on the Community Health Centre/Urgent Primary Care Centre.
Ayre Manor Backgrounder
Owned by Sooke Elderly Citizens' Housing Society (SECHS) and supported by Island Health, BC Housing and the District of Sooke, Ayre Manor offers four levels of affordable, comfortable and complete seniors' housing and care in Sooke, British Columbia. The SECHS was formed in 1968 by the Old Age Pensioners Organization and obtained charitable status.
History
Original 18 independent living cottages were built between 1972 and 1984. Assisted Living and Complex Care opened in 2008 with 25 Assisted Living suites and 31 Complex Care rooms. 2 hospice beds were opened in 2017.
- Construction begins on Ayre Manor (March 2007) (SNM, broken link)
- "$18 Million Campus of Care Opens In Sooke" (Province of BC/Island Health press release, Sept. 8, 2008)
- Government of BC Ayre Manor Construction Backgrounder (2008)
"Total capital cost of this project is $18,312,579
- The Province provided $15.12-million in interim construction financing.
- The Sooke Elderly Citizens’ Housing Society provided the land, valued at $2.89 million.
- The District of Sooke provided $180,824 in reduction of municipal levies and has waived property taxes since 1997.
- The CRD provided $22,959 in reduction of municipal levies as well as a $63,000 loan for project development funding.
- Sooke School District also provided $35,796 in reduction of municipal levies.
Operational funding includes:
- The Province, providing housing and hospitality subsidies of up to $4,374,421 over 35 years.
- Vancouver Island Health Authority is providing annual funding of $2-million for the 30 residential care beds, $148,000 for 10 assisted living units and annual operational funding of up to $350,000 for personal care services.
- Beckley Farm Lodge will operate the facility on behalf of Sooke Elderly Citizens’ Housing Society."
- Expansion Plans for a new 56-bed wing (2012) (SNM, broken link)
- Expansion Plans Stalled (2017)
- Ayre Manor Anniversaries (June, 2018)
- Unique Approach to Recruiting Nurses (2019)
- Accreditation Canada acknowledgement (March 2021)
- Hospice Care Spaces (June 2025)
Board members wanted (Feb. 11, 2026 note from Amy Gillard) ~ "As a Director on the Board of Ayre Manor, I would like to invite you to consider joining me on the Board. We are one of Sooke‘s premier employers, and a well respected community jewel. At Ayre Manor we provide independent living, assisted, living, and complex care housing, as well as hospice care. Volunteering with such a solid organization is rewarding and worthwhile. There’s an opportunity here to expand your knowledge in property management, healthcare, finance, human resources and more. We’re happy to support, mentor and provide professional development to people who are a good fit."
Facilities & Services
- Assisted Living Apartments -- 25 bright 550 sq. ft. one-bedroom Assisted Living apartments. Each apartment is wheelchair accessible and has a small kitchenette, sitting room, private bathroom, ensuite storage and a balcony or patio. Hospitality services include 3 meals a day, weekly housekeeping and linen laundering, and daily optional social activities.
- Complex Care -- Thirty-one private 260 sq. ft. Residential Complex Care suites
- Independent Living Units -- 18 independent living units in a studio or one-bedroom configuration, each with a full kitchen, living room, bathroom and outdoor space.
* Ayre Manor Quick Facts (Office of the Seniors' Advocate)
Canada-British Columbia Home and Community Care and Mental Health and Addictions Services Funding Agreement (Sept. 2024)
Provincial
BC Office of the Seniors' Advocate
* Strategic Plan 2025-2027
- Report: From Shortfall to Crisis: Growing Demand for Long-Term Care Beds in B.C. (2025) + release
- Press release: New data: Seniors’ population increase outpacing long-term care (Jan. 27, 2026)
“We are at the beginning of a rapid increase in the number of people 65 and over and we know the gap between the seniors’ population and older adults requiring public services will only widen if we don’t act now,” said Dan Levitt, BC Seniors Advocate. “Government’s own data shared in our report last July shows 16,000 more long-term care beds will be needed over the next decade and as of today, the Province has no plan to meet this demand”
Quick Facts:
• B.C.’s senior population (65+) is projected to increase 26% in the next 10 years.
• The Ministry of Health’s current ten-year bed expansion plan aims to increase the number of new long-term care beds by 10% (2,935 beds) from 2025 to 2030; no additional beds are planned after 2030.
• Today, there is a 2,000-bed shortfall and that gap widens and grows over 700% to meet the ministry’s projected future long-term care demand of 16,000 beds by 2035/36."
* Province of BC - Seniors home page
* HealthLink BC - Healthy Aging
* Community Care Services
* Regulated under the Community Care and Assisted Living Act
* Directory of Assisted Living Residents in BC
* Provincial guidelines for opening and operating an assisted living residence + handbook
* BC Ministry of Health - Seniors Action Plan + PDF + Progress Report (2013) + What We've Done (last updated in 2021)
"The goal of these actions is to establish an improved province-wide system of seniors' care by:
• Appointing an advocate to assist and protect seniors receiving public and private community and health care services and ensure complaints are resolved.
• Expanding non-medical home support to help seniors stay at home longer
• Providing clear policies and measurable standards for home support, home health, assisted living and residential care services.
• Ensuring that provincial inspection, quality assurance programs, enforcement and staff training in residential facilities align with standards.
• Strengthening protections from abuse and neglect, including improved protections for those who report care concerns or complaints.
• Increasing transparency and accountability through public reporting of the quality of care in publicly funded care facilities, such as patient and family satisfaction, and the incidence of falls. Privately funded facilities will have an opportunity to participate.
• Improving system flexibility and sustainability."
* Home Renovation Tax Credit for Seniors and Persons With Disabilities
10% tax credit on certain home improvements - FAQ
Federal Government
* Programs and Services for Seniors
- Canada Pension Plan
- Old Age Security
- Guaranteed Income Supplement
- Canada Dental Care Plan
- Services for Veterans
New Horizons for Seniors Program
Community-based projects are eligible to receive up to $25,000 in grant funding for 1 year.
Age Well At Home Program
Funding in two streams; last open in 2022
- Age-Friendly Communities
- Aging In Place + Safe Living Guide
- Canadian Bar Association - Welcome to the Secretary of State for Seniors (May 2025)
* main issues identified ...
- UN's Convention on the Human Rights of Older Persons (draft introduced in 2025)
- Neglect of vulnerable adults in care homes
- Coercive control of older adults
- Need for a national anti-fraud strategy
- Message from Stephanie McLean (Sept. 2025) + subscribe for newsletters
- National Seniors' Day (Oct. 1) + guidebook + toolkit
- Community Volunteer Income Tax Program
- CyberSecurity initiatives
- Respiratory Diseases
* This post in memoriam and fond remembrance of the late Jean Mary Bateman, Ayre Manor resident from 2011-2016
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