B.C. government criticized for health-care failings

The NDP government was on the defensive Thursday over its budget, which includes a record deficit of $13.3 billion.

Standing in the B.C. legislature Thursday, Surrey-White Rock MLA Trevor Halford didn’t mince words.

“This government is failing mothers,” Halford said.

The interim leader of the B.C. Conservatives noted that for the fourth time in just six weeks, the maternity department at Peace Arch Hospital is closed. The current closure is in place until the morning of Feb. 23.

“Since December of last year, the maternity ward has been closed over 21 days. Expectant mothers are being left in limbo, which is completely unacceptable,” Halford said.

Health Minister Josie Osborne admits it’s a “very stressful situation” for families.

The minister said every effort is being made to fill gaps in service, but that in some cases, it’s not possible.

“This government continues to do everything we can to increase the number of specialists in this province. We are making progress…through our actions we are taking recruiting physicians from other jurisdictions,” Osborne said.

The B.C. NDP also faced scrutiny over the decision to indefinitely pause some approved long-term care projects as part of the government’s 2026 budget.

Courtenay-Comox MLA Brenna Day called it a “slap in the face to B.C. seniors.”

“Because of this government’s failures and red tape, it’s becoming so expensive to build in B.C., seniors are being left out in the cold,” he said.

But the health minister said the budget protects core health-care services that seniors depend on.

“It continues the work to do on long-term care by building homes through standardized designs, different approaches that brings the cost down in a way that is sustainable,” Osborne said.

But critics believe B.C.’s healthcare crisis is not being treated with the urgency it deserves.