British Columbia Premier David Eby addressed the media today in Surrey, announcing progress in connecting over 248,500 residents with a family doctor or nurse practitioner in the past year. The announcement was made near the construction site of a new rental housing complex designated for health-care workers, located adjacent to the soon-to-be-completed Cloverdale hospital.
Eby was joined by Health Minister Adrian Dix, Housing Minister Ravi Kahlon, and several local health-care professionals and community leaders.
The premier emphasized the province’s approach to addressing the ongoing health-care worker shortage and housing affordability crisis, both of which have been exacerbated by the increasing demand for services and limited housing availability. “This project represents our government’s commitment to ensuring that health-care professionals have affordable housing options near their places of work,” said Eby. “By building homes on publicly owned land, we’re taking steps to retain and attract much-needed staff to facilities like the new Cloverdale hospital.”
Eby highlighted the recruitment and retention of health-care workers as a province-wide issue, one that has been particularly challenging in fast-growing areas like Surrey. British Columbia, like much of Canada, faces an ongoing shortage of medical professionals, leading to longer wait times and difficulties accessing essential services.
“In the last 12 months, we’ve connected over 248,500 British Columbians to a family doctor or nurse practitioner, and we’re matching an additional 4,000 individuals each week,” Eby stated. He added that projections indicate a further 250,000 people will be matched with primary care providers within the next six months.
Minister Adrian Dix reaffirmed the province’s commitment to improving health-care infrastructure, pointing out recent investments in new hospitals, medical schools, and urgent care centres. “We have added 835 new family doctors in B.C. since the beginning of this initiative,” said Dix. “Our efforts have already resulted in 500,000 residents being connected to a family doctor since 2018, and we remain committed to training and recruiting more health-care professionals to meet the growing needs.”
Surrey’s rapid growth has driven up housing prices, making it harder for essential workers to live near their jobs. To alleviate this burden, Eby praised the partnership with local health authorities to provide affordable housing on the site of the Cloverdale hospital. “This housing project is an important piece of the puzzle in keeping our health-care professionals here, close to their workplaces, and easing the recruitment challenges many health-care employers face.”
While the announcement highlighted major strides in addressing B.C.’s health-care challenges, Eby used the platform to contrast his government’s efforts with those of the opposition. He pointed out that under previous leadership, promises of expanded health services and a second hospital for Surrey went unfulfilled. “The previous government promised a hospital but sold the land instead,” said Eby. “We are ensuring that the health-care workers in Surrey get not only the facilities they need but the housing and support that will allow them to serve our growing population.”
The premier also expressed concerns about potential future cuts to health care, referencing recent remarks from opposition leader John Rustad about reviewing hospital projects. “We can’t afford to roll back these essential services, especially now when we’re seeing real progress,” Eby said, referring to Rustad’s proposal to cut taxes for oil and gas companies while potentially impacting health-care funding.
As the province gears up for an election period, the issue of health care is expected to remain at the forefront of discussions.
With Surrey’s population expected to reach 1 million by 2040, the need for expanded health-care services and affordable housing has never been more pressing. The completion of the Cloverdale hospital, along with its adjacent housing project, represents one step toward addressing the city’s evolving needs. However, there is still more work to be done to ensure British Columbians have access to timely and comprehensive health care.