The provincial government has effectively cancelled two major health-care projects, critics say.
B.C. Conservative Party MLAs were outspoken in Question Period Wednesday, calling on the BC NDP government to explain why it has put a stop to certain projects, including a new long-term care home in Delta.
“The people of Delta rolled up their sleeves and raised nearly $20 million to build a long-term care facility for their community. This was a government-approved project. Apparently, getting approval from this government is no longer credible,” said the Conservative MLA for Delta South, Ian Paton.
Misty Van Popta, the MLA for Langley-Walnut Grove, says that’s not the only project that’s been impacted.
“In the past 48 hours, the staff and doctors at Burnaby Hospital received a letter from their own executive director with Fraser Health branding that confirms, in writing, that the Alliance contract for the Burnaby Hospital redevelopment has been cancelled,” claimed Van Popta.
The Minister of Infrastructure, Bowinn Ma, responded, saying “cost escalations” on projects all around the province have exceeded what is reasonable.
“The project at Delta will continue, but we do have to do the work with Fraser Health Authority and other health authorities across the province to get those costs-per-bed down. And that work is underway,” said Ma.
Ma denied that the projects had been outright cancelled but says the government will “be working towards refreshing plans to ensure that the project continues to be delivered and meets the needs of the community.”
The Burnaby Hospital and Community Foundation confirmed the province has cancelled the contract for Phase 2 of construction in its redevelopment.
President and CEO Kristy James says local MLAs and Minister Ma “consistently reassured” the foundation that the government would not cancel the project.
“But a terminated contract with no confirmed start date sounds like a cancellation,” said James.
She tells 1130 NewsRadio that hospital staff were notified Monday morning, and the overwhelming reaction has been “disappointment.”
James explains that the Treasury Board had approved the project, and it was within budget.
“We’re left not knowing, ‘Why us?’ And we’re also left not knowing when we’re going to start again.”
A statement by the foundation explains that Burnaby Hospital serves over 500,000 residents with “one of the lowest bed counts” in the province.
“We’ve actually decreased in beds over the years. And our population has only grown,” said James.
She says that without the planned opening of a new BC Cancer Centre, Burnaby and all surrounding communities will be impacted.
The redevelopment was set to be completed in two phases, James explained, so that the hospital could remain open, and continue to provide critical services.
“The Phase 1 that we’ve got, it’s great. We’ve had a replacement of our maternity department, replacement of our mental health, a few new operating rooms,” said James, adding that without the second phase, the plan is incomplete.
“We’ve been left with half of our hospital.”
James says the foundation will continue to advocate on the second phase’s behalf, and she remains optimistic that a start date will re-emerge in next year’s budget.
—With files from Dean Recksiedler