Lobbying Activity Report

4434-14719

Organization: Options Community Services Society
Was this lobbying activity a letter sent on behalf of one or more of the organizations listed as members of a coalition in your Registration Return? No
Associated registration: 6862-4434-1
Lobbying Activity date: 2021-11-12
Arranged a meeting: No
Posted date: 2021-12-13

In-house lobbyists who participated in the lobbying activity: Thaddee Bergler
Christine Mohr
Senior Public Office Holders who were lobbied in this activity: Pam Alexis, MLA for Abbotsford-Mission
Member(s) of the BC Legislative Assembly Footnote1

Harry Bains, MLA for Surrey-Newton
Member(s) of the BC Legislative Assembly Footnote1

Bruce Banman, MLA for Abbotsford South
Member(s) of the BC Legislative Assembly Footnote1

Lisa Beare, MLA for Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows
Member(s) of the BC Legislative Assembly Footnote1

Garry Begg, MLA for Surrey-Guildford
Member(s) of the BC Legislative Assembly Footnote1

Jagrup Brar, MLA for Surrey-Fleetwood
Member(s) of the BC Legislative Assembly Footnote1

Stephanie Cadieux, MLA for Surrey South
Member(s) of the BC Legislative Assembly Footnote1

Katrina Chen, MLA for Burnaby-Lougheed
Member(s) of the BC Legislative Assembly Footnote1

Raj Chouhan, MLA for Burnaby-Edmonds
Member(s) of the BC Legislative Assembly Footnote1

Dan Coulter, MLA for Chilliwack
Member(s) of the BC Legislative Assembly Footnote1

Bob D'Eith, MLA for Maple Ridge-Mission
Member(s) of the BC Legislative Assembly Footnote1

Fin Donnelly, MLA for Coquitlam-Burke Mountain
Member(s) of the BC Legislative Assembly Footnote1

Megan Dykeman, MLA for Langley East
Member(s) of the BC Legislative Assembly Footnote1

Mike Farnworth, MLA for Port Coquitlam
Member(s) of the BC Legislative Assembly Footnote1

Rick Glumac, MLA for Port Moody-Coquitlam
Member(s) of the BC Legislative Assembly Footnote1

Trevor Halford, MLA for Surrey-White Rock
Member(s) of the BC Legislative Assembly Footnote1

Ravi Kahlon, MLA for Delta North
Member(s) of the BC Legislative Assembly Footnote1

Anne Kang, MLA for Burnaby-Deer Lake
Member(s) of the BC Legislative Assembly Footnote1

Kelli Paddon, MLA for Chilliwack-Kent
Member(s) of the BC Legislative Assembly Footnote1

Ian Paton, MLA for Delta South
Member(s) of the BC Legislative Assembly Footnote1

Bruce Ralston, MLA for Surrey-Whalley
Member(s) of the BC Legislative Assembly Footnote1

Selina Robinson, MLA for Coquitlam-Maillardville
Member(s) of the BC Legislative Assembly Footnote1

Janet Routledge, MLA for Burnaby North
Member(s) of the BC Legislative Assembly Footnote1

Niki Sharma, MLA for Vancouver-Hastings
Member(s) of the BC Legislative Assembly Footnote1

Jinny Sims, MLA for Surrey-Panorama
Member(s) of the BC Legislative Assembly Footnote1

Rachna Singh, MLA for Surrey-Green Timbers
Member(s) of the BC Legislative Assembly Footnote1

Mike Starchuk, MLA for Surrey-Cloverdale
Member(s) of the BC Legislative Assembly Footnote1

Jennifer Whiteside, MLA for New Westminster
Member(s) of the BC Legislative Assembly Footnote1

Michael de Jong, MLA for Abbotsford West
Member(s) of the BC Legislative Assembly Footnote1
 
Subject Matter of the Lobbying Activity
Specific Topics of Lobbying Communications Intended Outcomes Associated Subject Matters
Regional Health Authorities have provided notice of their intent to move contracting of existing crisis line services from their responsibility to the Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA). PHSA has advised that there will be a tendering process to be managed through BC Bid. The stated reasons for the tendering of these long standing existing services seem to relate to a substantial increase in funding, and because tendering is “best practice for procurement”. As well, it has been noted that the intention is to have one key crisis line contractor in each Health Region. This is in fact already the case with the exception of one region. In the region where there is more than one key crisis line provider, a much less disruptive approach could readily conclude in having one contract.
We are concerned that untold harm would result of tendering these essential service as there is an absence of understanding of the interconnectedness of existing crisis line services with each other across the province, at the Regional Health level (beyond the typical crisis line services - e.g part of opioid response, mental health 1.800 SUICIDE and 310 Mental Health lines, as well as other emergency response supports to identified vulnerable people e.g. extreme heat check-ins). It is unclear how this tendering will impact other services at the community level.
We are lobbying to stop the RFP tendering process before it commences and that in the event that it does proceed, that direct awards will be made to the organizations that are currently members of the Network fo Crisis Line providers.

In the event that it is necessary to tender the existing crisis line services, we will lobby that direct awards are issued for existing providers.
  • Awarding, amendment or termination of any contract, grant or financial benefit by or on behalf of the government of British Columbia or a Provincial entity
 Children and Families, Government Procurement, Health, Mental Health and Addictions
 
Lobbying Activity Report amended on: 2021-12-13 previous entry: 4434-14628
Reason for amendment: Clerical errors
 
Senior officer who filed this Lobbying Activity Report: Christine Mohr
 
The above name is that of the most senior paid officer who is responsible for filing a Lobbying Activity Report for the organization (the Designated Filer), whether that person participated in this lobbying activity or not.
 
  1. Footnote1  Indicates new information that was added through a Lobbying Activity Report.
Date Modified: