Open Letter to Premier David Eby
Peter King
Email: peterking26@gmail.com
July 29, 2024
The Honourable David Eby, MLA
Premier of British Columbia
Office of the Premier
Email: premier@gov.bc.ca
Dear Premier David Eby,
I am reaching out to you as a resident of British Columbia with a physical disability, dependent on care and support from the Greater Vancouver Community Services Society (GVCSS), funded by Vancouver Coastal Health and ultimately the BC government. The policies implemented by GVCSS are causing severe mistreatment and discrimination against my mother and me.
Background information:
GVCSS has been mistreating me for years, and this is documented by many letters and emails. In response to this mistreatment, my mom advocates for me. I also advocate for myself. Family members advocating for loved ones are often mischaracterized and labeled as troublemakers and barred from seeing them. There is a general issue within care settings, where the advocacy efforts of family members can be mischaracterized and sometimes punitive actions taken against the advocates.
Separating a Mother from Her Son:
Over two years ago, GVCSS created a rule that effectively forces my elderly mother out of my apartment whenever their caregivers are present. I am a person with a physical disability who depends on GVCSS for assistance with daily living. My mom also assists me. As a result, this rule is not only disruptive, but inhumane.
Caregivers refuse to provide necessary care if my mother is present in my apartment, forcing her into the hallway outside my apartment regardless of conditions in the hallway, where she has endured cold temperatures and drafts and air conditioning during winter, and even when there are ants in the hallway. And when their caregivers are present, GVCSS won't even let my mom in to use the washroom. If my mom returns to my apartment for any reason, including to use the washroom, GVCSS staff walk out leaving me in the middle of my care.
This has not only led to my mother being forced out of my home multiple times a day, but has also exposed her to public embarrassment and humiliation as she is forced by the circumstances to sit on public display in the narrow hallway in front of my apartment. There have even been instances where staff members made fun of my mom and occasions where a staff member was physically aggressive towards her in the hallway. This callous disregard for our well-being is deeply distressing and unacceptable.
This treatment has caused my mom significant emotional and physical stress. My mom is a fragile senior citizen. She has already endured this situation for over two years, and if it continues, I worry that she could die due to the health effects of the continuous stress and being forced to sit immobile in front of my apartment.
Violation of Rights:
The right to decide who is present in my apartment should belong to me, not GVCSS. I believe that forcing my mother out into the hallway violates our rights and exposes her to unhealthy conditions. This situation has persisted for nearly two years without due process or consideration of our side of the story.
Refusal of Essential Care:
GVCSS staff have been instructed to refuse work unless my mother leaves my apartment, which also forces her to step in and perform their duties when they refuse. This also transfers staff responsibilities to my mother.
Unjust Protocols and Unlicensed and Lack of Accountability
Staff members have confessed that they disagree with this rule, but fear retaliation from management if they do not comply. It's my understanding that they fear GVCSS management will terminate their employment if they do not follow the protocol of forcing my mom out of my apartment when they are present. It is apparent that there are staff members that watch them, and will inform on them if they do not follow the protocol. The government gives the contract to the organization and then I'm at their mercy because there is no accountability. It is clear that this abusive protocol has been instituted by management, and yet, there is no recourse to Licensing available as GVCSS operates here unlicensed, precluding complaints to licensing authorities. I'm supposed to be in an independent model with supports, however, GVCSS has implemented an institutional model. I am at risk for institutional abuse, and there are no safeguards to protect me.
Management have provided staff a protocol that they use as a tool to torment my mom and abuse us.
Call for Immediate Action:
As the Premier of BC, your government is funding GVCSS, an organization I believe is currently abusing its position and causing harm to my family. I am pleading with you to take immediate action to stop GVCSS from forcing my mother out of my apartment and to ensure no other families are subjected to such treatment. This situation has persisted for nearly two years, and it must end now.
Thank you for your attention to this critical matter. I look forward to your swift response and action to rectify these injustices.
For privacy reasons, I have not included my personal contact information in this public letter. However, I am available for follow-up and can be contacted through the email provided above: peterking26@gmail.com
Sincerely,
Peter King
CC:
- Kevin Falcon, MLA, Leader of the Opposition
- Shirley Bond, MLA, Opposition Critic for Health, Seniors Services, and Long-Term Care
- Nicholas Simons, MLA, Government Caucus Chair
- Dr. Bonnie Henry - Provincial Health Officer
- Hon. Carla Qualtrough - Minister of Employment, Workforce Development, and Disability Inclusion
- Keith Baldrey - Global BC’s Legislature Bureau Chief
- BC Ombudsperson
- Select Standing Committee on Health (BC)
- Vancouver Courier Newspaper
- Vancouver Sun Newspaper
- The Tyee
- The Globe and Mail Newspaper
- CBC News
- CTV News - Vancouver Bureau
- Global News
- Disability Alliance BC
- Rick Hansen Foundation
Contact Information:
For privacy concerns, I request all replies and inquiries to be directed to the email address provided above: peterking26@gmail.com