Health-care groups criticize B.C. budget’s unkept promises but express relief over lack of cuts – CBC

Nanaimo hospital tower, loan forgiveness for staff among health-care promises left out of 2025 B.C. budget

Mar 07, 2025

In the fall provincial election campaign, Premier David Eby and NDP candidates made bold promises for investments to improve the health-care system in order to address staff shortages and gaps in vital services.

But patient groups and health-care workers who spoke to CBC News say they are disappointed to see several key campaign promises absent from this year’s budget, including money for new hospital towers in Nanaimo and Langley and the creation of a catheterization lab for cardiac care in Nanaimo.

Donna Hais, chair of the Fair Care Alliance, said that while she was happy to see the province’s “recommitment” to funding a cancer centre and long-term care in the region, she feels the lack of investment in promised services will take a significant toll on the health of central and north Vancouver Island residents.

“I’m feeling a little bit disappointed and a little bit deflated,” she said. “After decades of not paying attention to those of us that live in central and north Island, there should have been funding announced for our cath lab and our tower.”

Read more: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/health-care-groups-criticize-b-c-budget-1.7477006