The CEO of the BC Care Providers Association says an announcement on changes to streamline the process for care aides has already led to improvements.

Daniel Fontaine says new funding announced this week for recruiting care aides will streamline the process for those workers coming to B.C., a system he has called “crazy” before now.

“Stuff happened right away, in fact I got an email from three different employers that are in the Interior Health region, who as soon they heard this news said they will be out in places like Alberta and Saskatchewan and as far east as Manitoba to begin that recruitment process, to try to get people now to come to places like the Interior to work as a care aide.”

The province is spending $2.26 million in three years to recruit care aides.

Health Minister Adrian Dix acknowledges the process here is too onerous and expensive for care aides moving here or people starting out.

“This is significant; just to give you an example, of the people who approach this process, only 23 per cent – only 1 in 4 – make it through… which is, when you need people, not the right process,” Dix says.

“Once in effect, on January 15th, 2020, the new pathway will bring relief to many communities, which will find it easier to recruit healthcare assistants. This is especially true in the Interior and on the eastern border of British Columbia, where they are greatly needed.”