Delta South MLA Ian Paton wants the provincial government to do something about the Delta Hospice Society.
The Liberal MLA today said he sent letters to the Minister of Citizen Services Anne Kang, Minister of Health Adrian Dix, as well as DHS president Angelina Ireland regarding the denial of memberships to Delta residents trying to join.
He said he would be following up directly with Kang and Dix to discuss the situation and find out what can be done to the reassure community and support the palliative care needs of all Delta residents.
Noting the community had raised millions to build the hospice palliative and supportive care centre in Ladner, Paton wrote to Dix, “Regrettably, I understand in recent weeks several community members have had their membership applications denied, without explanation. Further, upon being informed of the rejection of their membership application, these individuals were not provided with a reasonable opportunity to make representations to the board of directors.”
He also wrote, “There is fear among many of my constituents that proposed changes to the constitution of the Hospice Society could cause irreparable harm to their ability to perform palliative care services in our community.”
In his letter to Ireland, Paton wrote the society must remain open to all citizens, and encouraged disgruntled parties to bring their dispute to the Civil Resolution Tribunal for an independent decision in accordance with the B.C. Societies Act.
He also noted the issue has caused a great amount of stress in the community, especially for those who have supported hospice care in Delta.
“Simply put, I am disappointed the issue has devolved to the state that it has, resulting in deep wounds and division in our community,” Paton said.
In a statement Wednesday after learning the DHS board had called for a special meeting June 15 to amend the constitution to include Christian principles, Paton said Delta Hospice was built by everyone and it is not owned by a particular group, nor should it discriminate its membership on the basis of religion.
“Any attempt to restrict membership in the Society on religious grounds would be, in my opinion, an egregious assault on the members of our community who helped to build this hospice,” he said.
On Twitter, Delta North MLA Ravi Kahlon said the community is concerned that a small group has hijacked an important service organization in Delta.
Allegations of inappropriate membership signups have been made, said the New Democrat MLA, adding he hopes Paton “will join me in calling out this shameful behavior.”
