VICTORIA, B.C.: While the NDP government stages re-announcements of previously funded health care initiatives, the Official Opposition says the government needs to address its failures throughout B.C. that threaten the lives and health of British Columbians in every part of the province. 

From expectant mothers in White Rock, to emergency patients from Mission to 100 Mile to Haida Gwaii, the NDP’s health care system is failing everyone.

In the Fraser Health Region, where there were 10 emergency room closures in 2025, the maternity ward at Peace Arch Hospital in White Rock has been closed on average every other week – most recently, all last weekend. The closure at Peace Arch, where 1,000 babies are delivered in a typical year, has caused incredible anxiety to expectant parents. 

Interim Leader Trevor Halford and MLA for Surrey-White Rock, said the closure at Peach Arch was entirely preventable, if only the NDP had listened to warnings from medical staff. 

“Peace Arch doctors and nurses have consistently warned that without substantial hiring, maternity ward closures were inevitable,” said Halford. The NDP tried to shut the Peace Arch maternity ward permanently in 2022, only reversing course after widespread outcry.”

In the Interior Health Region, where there were 135 emergency room closures last year, there have already been closures in Nelson and in 100 Mile House. In the Northern Health region, where there were 276 emergency room closures last year, there have already been closures in Haida Gwaii, Burns Lake, Hazelton, Chetwynd, Fort St. James, and Chetwynd. 

In Kelowna, Interior Health confirmed that Kelowna General Hospital experienced gaps in general neurology coverage earlier in January, due to staffing shortages. 

“As I have said before, BC is experiencing a province-wide pattern of instability, leaving families wondering whether critical care will be available when and where they need it,” said Anna Kindy, Conservative MLA for North Island, and Critic for Health. “This is the reality of NDP health care. As a physician, I understand the anxiety that families face when a loved one is in a serious health situation and the resources are not adequate. This is what demoralizes front line healthcare providers” added Kindy, “this and all the extra hours they must put in shoring up a system so full of inadequacies.

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Media Contact:
Francesca Guetchev, Press Secretary
Francesca.Guetchev@leg.bc.ca
+1 (672) 922-0948