Plans for Whistle Bend continuing care home panned at NDP-hosted meeting

Yukon's NDP has long been critical of the government's plan for a new continuing care facility in Whitehorse. On Wednesday, the opposition party hosted a public meeting in the city to hear from Yukoners, and many seniors voiced serious concerns.

"Let's call it what it is. It's a business model to warehouse old people," said Frank Turner, one of about 70 people who attended the meeting. "It does not reflect the values, the lifestyle and principles of the Yukon." 

The Yukon government plans to spend nearly $270 million to build the 150-bed facility in the Whistle Bend neighbourhood. The government has said another 150 beds could be added later.

Mary Ann Lewis of Whitehorse feels the building would be too large and too institutional. She's afraid it will lead to problems.

"We know when people are working stressed in a large institution, it's rife for abuse," she said. 

Others, such as Robert Wills, feel the location in Whistle Bend is too remote.

"Wouldn't it be better downtown, near the hospital? Near other facilities?" he asked. 

Former group home manager opposes

One speaker at Wednesday's meeting knows what's involved in managing a care home. Willy Shippey is a former manager of the Copper Ridge Place in Whitehorse. She says she wouldn't build a facility in Whistle Bend.

Shippey also criticized the Yukon government for not asking for her input before announcing the Whistle Bend facility.

"Transportation is an absolute issue in Copper Ridge. I think the taxi fee ended up being $90. It's a 96-bed facility and then we had to look at medical escorts. There's many logistics," she said.

"As a director in that program I was surprised as anyone else we were building this. It came out in an email," she said. "I don't know where the planning came from."  

Need for care growing

The meeting also featured a panel of people involved in healthcare and elders' issues. 

Dr. Ken Quong, Yukon Medical Association president, said there is a growing need for long-term elders' care in Yukon. 

"Our 50-bed hospital is one-third full of people who are not appropriate," Quong said.  

Ranjit Sarin of the Vimy Heritage Housing Association said his organization has heard from 500 Yukoners interested in moving into supported living. He expects that number to grow.

Sean Secord, president of the Yukon Registered Nurses Association, said an aging population is one of the largest concerns for Canada's healthcare system. 

Location 'not very good' concedes former health minister

The meeting also heard from the government's former health minister, Doug Graham. He admitted that the Whistle Bend site was not his first choice.

"I agree with you when you say the location is not that good," he said. But Graham also said there wasn't much choice.

"When people talk about building this facility downtown, there isn't any space available that's big enough. We searched and searched," Graham said.

Graham said his preferred choice was downtown, near the intersection of 5th Ave. and Rogers St. But he says the city of Whitehorse "was opposed to using that space for that purpose."

Graham also accused other politicians of having "an axe to grind," and deliberately making the facility seem frightening. 

"It's interesting to me when I hear people say 'this great big box' this institution. It hasn't been designed yet," he said.

The territorial NDP says it will compile people's opinions on the Whistle Bend project to try and pressure the government to change its plan.