Peace River Regional District votes to approve increase to Seniors Aging in Places fees

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — The Peace River Regional District (PRRD) has approved a bylaw increasing fees for the Seniors Aging in Place program.

According to an April 30th, 2026 report from the PRRD, the bylaw includes a 25 per cent increase in fees from 2026 to 2030. 

The PRRD said the increase in fees will create added revenue for the Seniors Aging in Place service.

“Increasing the proportion of cost recovery through user fees will reduce the reliance on taxation revenue required to support the service,” the PRRD said. 

According to its website, the PRRD and the Dawson Creek Society for Community Living (DCSCL) teamed up to offer the Seniors in Place (SAIP) program. 

The PRRD said the program helps seniors in Electoral Area D and E by providing essential services such as meals, housekeeping and snow removal, allowing them to remain comfortable in their homes. 

The report said the following fees will increase as of June 1st, 2026:

Meal service, including five prepared meals each week, will increase from $5.00 per meal to $8.57 per meal. This increase will offer a 15 per cent recovery.

Snowplace service offers a maximum of three snow removals per month and will increase from $20.00 to $80.34, with a six per cent cost recovery. 

Housekeeping services are increasing from $15.00 per user to $61.60 per user. This service offers two housekeepers for two hours every two weeks, with a six per cent cost recovery. 

The increase in fees excludes GST and PST, which will be added where applicable. 

The PRRD said it anticipates the fee increases will result in an additional $220,000 annually in revenue based on the number of services provided monthly. 

A three per cent increase in service delivery costs due to a contract with the Dawson Creek Society for Community Living will slightly offset the 2027 fee increase.

The PRRD said staff are still examining expansions to the Seniors Aging in Place service, but preliminary information from the existing service suggests approximately $330,000 in funding will be depleted by 2028, if not earlier, based on demand and customer numbers. 

According to the PRRD, to maintain the function, demand must increase by about $150,000 per year.