Plans have been announced for the commencement of construction on a new Cowichan District Hospital in 2021, to replace the facility in Duncan, which was built in 1967. Can you and your party give assurances that the project will go ahead as scheduled? What completion date would you estimate for the project?
The new hospital in Cowichan is desperately needed as the current hospital was built for a population half the size of what it currently serves. This was something that the community had been advocating for, for a number of years, but that was ignored by the previous Liberal government.
As part of the government who helped get these plans approved, I can assure the community that under an NDP government this hospital will be built on schedule. Under the current timeline’s construction will begin in 2021, and will be completed by 2024 – the new hospital will be triple the size of the existing one.
The BC Greens are committed to a robust, well-funded, and accessible health care system. This commitment includes the continuation of the Cowichan District Hospital. The new hospital will play a key part in the delivery of exceptional health care services to our communities. I would push for the completion of this project as soon as possible. BC is currently dealing with concurrent health emergencies, and there is no time to waste in investing in our healthcare system.
Candidates responses to this question have been added in the order received. Go to the Election Questions list to see questions that have been submitted to the Forum.