Victory for Charleigh: Brennan Day Welcomes Reversal on Life-Saving Treatment, Calls for Systemic Reform
COMOX, BC: Brennan Day, MLA for Courtenay–Comox and Opposition Critic for Rural and Seniors Health, issued the following statement today after the provincial government reversed its decision and committed to reinstating Brineura treatment for 10-year-old Charleigh Pollock:
“Today is a victory for Charleigh, her family, and every British Columbian who stood up and demanded better. It’s a testament to the power of public pressure, expert advocacy, and a community that refused to accept ‘no’ as the final answer.”
Day acknowledged the government’s reversal as the right decision but said the fact it took a public fundraising campaign, media pressure, and a week of uncertainty is proof that the system remains deeply broken.
“We never should have gotten to this point. A family should not have to crowdfund for care. ’GoFundMe health care’ is a symptom of a broken healthcare system and out of touch governance,” said Day. “The government made the right call, but only after being pushed to the brink by public outrage and media scrutiny.”
“This week showed us what British Columbians are made of,” said Day. “But it also exposed a system that only responds when headlines get loud enough, and families go public. That’s not access, that’s crisis management.”
Day and the Conservative Caucus are calling for immediate reforms to how rare disease cases are handled in BC, including:
A formal review of the Ministry’s rare drug access framework.
Mandatory consultation with global experts before final decisions are made.
And a permanent policy to prevent forced crowdfunding for approved treatments.
“We will celebrate today, but we will not let this happen again. Charleigh’s story should be a turning point, not a one-off exception,” said Day. “This victory belongs to the people who spoke up. Now let’s turn it into lasting change.”
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Media Contact:
Jack Alarie, Communications Manager
Jack.Alarie@leg.bc.ca
+1 (672) 922-1142
