VICTORIA — Outcry from the Official Opposition and New Democrat leader John Horgan forced the B.C. Liberals to admit they were wrong in their uncaring decision to limit the number of guests seniors could bring to Christmas dinner at Vancouver Island care homes.

“The opposition brought this issue to the legislature after learning that the B.C. Liberals were only allowing a fraction of residents at seniors’ care homes on Vancouver Island to bring a family member to Christmas dinner,” said New Democrat leader John Horgan.

“Their Scrooge-like policy hurt seniors and their families, and we knew it needed it change. We only hope that the minister of health doesn’t do what he did on flu shots for seniors – promise one thing inside the legislature, and then do the complete opposite outside of it.”

New Democrats are celebrating the victory for seniors after learning that Trillium Lodge and other seniors’ facilities were instructed to allow all residents to bring family members to Christmas dinner.

New Democrat MLA for Alberni-Pacific Rim, Scott Fraser, who also raised the issue in the legislature, said he was proud to have helped bring the issue to light.

“Seniors in this province have been neglected by the B.C. Liberal government for too long,” said Fraser. “This is a government that knows what to say when it suits them, but then does whatever they want.

“Forcing seniors to not bring a family member to their Christmas dinner was wrong, and it’s about time this government admitted such.”