Delta Long-Term Care Facility Completion Delayed to 2028

The completion date for the new Delta Long-Term Care Centre has been postponed by one year, now expected in 2028 instead of the previously scheduled 2027. This delay was announced by Finance Minister Brenda Bailey during the release of the first quarterly report following the government’s 2025 budget presentation on September 15, 2023. The revised report reveals that the province is grappling with an unprecedented deficit projected at nearly $11.6 billion, which is $665 million higher than earlier estimates.

The budget for the 2025/26 fiscal year stands at almost $95 billion. The quarterly report includes a comprehensive overview of capital projects costing over $50 million, detailing their anticipated completion years, current expenditures, estimated completion costs, and funding sources. While the financial parameters for the new Beedie Long-Term Care Centre remain unchanged, the rescheduling aligns with an updated project timeline.

New Facility to Enhance Care Services

As of June 30, $4 million has already been invested in the construction of the Beedie Long-Term Care Centre, which will replace the aging Mountain View Manor. This existing facility, operational since 1977, currently accommodates 92 residents. The new centre is designed as a “care community” with a capacity of 200 beds, significantly expanding available services. It promises a modern, home-like setting that includes inviting living spaces, dining areas, and activity zones, along with access to outdoor environments.

In addition to residential care, the facility will feature a 32-space adult day program and a standalone 49-space childcare centre, fostering intergenerational community engagement. The capital expenses for this Fraser Health-owned facility will be funded through $179.7 million from the Ministry of Health, supplemented by $18.25 million raised through the Delta Hospital and Community Health Foundation’s “Coming Home” campaign, which is its largest fundraising effort to date.

Budget Challenges and Future Projections

In her remarks, Bailey also highlighted significant revisions to the province’s three-year fiscal plan, which now anticipates a larger deficit for the next fiscal year. The projected deficit for 2026/27 has surged to over $12.6 billion, an increase from the earlier forecast of $10.2 billion. For the following year, the deficit is expected to reach nearly $12.3 billion, up from approximately $9.9 billion.

One of the most notable adjustments in the budget stems from the elimination of the consumer carbon tax, which has resulted in more than $2.8 billion in anticipated lost revenue this year alone. The impact of this tax removal is expected to continue, costing the province over $3.1 billion in revenue next year and more than $3.4 billion the year after. Overall, the province’s total debt is projected to reach about $155.3 billion by the end of this year, a slight decrease from an earlier estimate of $156.6 billion in March. The debt is expected to rise significantly to $185.7 billion in 2026/27 and $212.9 billion the following year.

These developments underscore the challenges the government faces in balancing fiscal responsibilities while investing in essential community services like the new Delta Long-Term Care Centre.