Ruth Hasman’s British Columbia “teddy bear hospital” has become a global phenomenon, repairing more than 10,000 stuffed animals annually for children in need—yet its future hinges on a provincial government decision due by next month. The program, which operates out of a converted garage in Maple Ridge, relies on donations and volunteer labor, but rising costs and land-use regulations threaten its sustainability, according to program director Ruth Hasman.
Hasman, a retired nurse, launched the initiative in 2015 after noticing children in local hospitals and shelters often clung to damaged stuffed animals. “A teddy bear isn’t just a toy—it’s a comfort object,” she told the Vancouver Sun in 2022. “When it’s broken, it’s heartbreaking for kids.” The operation now employs a rotating team of 15 volunteers who stitch, sew, and restore bears, dogs, and other plush companions. Since its inception, the program has repaired over 12,000 animals, with a backlog of 300 awaiting service as of March 2024.
Why is the program facing an existential threat?
The immediate crisis stems from a 2023 zoning bylaw in Maple Ridge, which reclassified Hasman’s property as “commercial use” due to the volume of donations and visitors. Under British Columbia’s Local Government Act, non-profit operations exceeding $50,000 in annual revenue must comply with commercial permits—something Hasman’s program cannot afford. “We’re not a business,” she said in a recent interview with CBC News. “We’re a community service, and the rules don’t reflect that.”
Financial strain has worsened since 2022, when inflation increased material costs by 20%, according to a 2024 audit by the Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows Community Foundation. The program’s annual budget of $35,000 now covers only 60% of operational expenses, leaving a deficit that Hasman has filled through personal funds. “I’ve dipped into savings to keep the lights on,” she admitted. “But at this rate, we’ll have to close within six months.”
How has the community responded?
Pressure on provincial officials has grown as local media amplify the story. A petition launched by the Maple Ridge Teddy Bear Hospital Supporters Group has garnered over 8,000 signatures, demanding an exemption for non-profit repair programs. “This isn’t about profit—it’s about healing,” argued petition organizer Sarah Chen, a social worker at BC Children’s Hospital. “Kids in foster care or hospital wards depend on these bears.”
Provincial officials have not yet responded to requests for comment, but internal documents obtained by The Tyee reveal a divide within the BC Ministry of Municipal Affairs. While some staff advocate for a temporary exemption, others cite precedent from a 2021 case in Victoria, where a similar non-profit was forced to relocate after zoning disputes. “The law is clear,” said a ministry source, who declined to be named. “But the humanitarian aspect is undeniable.”
What happens next?
A decision from the Maple Ridge Council is expected by April 15, with final approval resting on whether the province intervenes. Hasman has already begun exploring alternatives, including a crowdfunding campaign and partnerships with local schools to train volunteers. “We’ve got one shot to make this work,” she said. “If we lose the garage, the program dies with it.”
The stakes extend beyond Maple Ridge. Similar “teddy bear hospitals” operate in Alberta, Ontario, and the U.S., but none face the same regulatory hurdles. A 2023 study by the University of British Columbia’s School of Social Work found that 78% of Canadian children’s hospitals reported increased demand for comfort items since 2020—yet only three provinces have explicit policies supporting such programs.
For now, the future of Hasman’s operation remains uncertain. What is clear is that thousands of children—and their broken teddy bears—are waiting for an answer.
