Advocacy group applauds move to increase pay for CCAs

Gary MacLeod with Advocates for the Care of the Elderly calls the move a good first step

CITYnews halifax \ Chris Halef

Listen to this article

A local long-term care advocacy group is applauding the province’s move to increase pay for continuing care assistants.

On Wednesday, Premier Tim Houston announced a $65 million investment to increase the pay for unionized and non-unionized CCAs at all levels in the publicly funded sector by roughly 23 percent.

According to the province, this is an annual increase of close to $9,000 a year for most full-time CCAs.

Gary MacLeod, spokesperson for Advocates for the Care of the Elderly, told CityNews Halifax this is a good first step.

“It’s nice to see that they’re getting recognition and they’re going to get the pay increases,” he said. “I’m sure benefits can also be enhanced to add to salary increases.”

MacLeod said he is hopeful this will help attract and retain staff.

“Salaries have been so low and they would seek hours at other facilities, so this should stop all of that and allow these workers to get some rest,” he said. “So if we have more staff, it’s better for the workers as well as the residents.”

MacLeod said this is a good first step, but adds there are still more improvements needed in long-term care including abuse in facilities.