The Cowichan Valley's candidates' promises on Health & Healthcare

This is a page from the 2026 British Columbia Provincial Election.

Looking for the 2026 Ontario Local General Elections? Click here.

Health & Healthcare platforms

Here's what the candidates in Cowichan Valley, and their parties, are promising.

Chronic diseases

We don't have any BC Conservative policies on Chronic diseases.

BC Green

Fund Virtual Group Care for those with complex chronic diseases, following the BC-CLMF model

"Commit to funding Virtual Group Care for those with complex chronic diseases, following the BC-CLMF model." — Believe in Better, retrieved 2026-10-13

We don't have any BC NDP policies on Chronic diseases.

Diagnostic and procedure wait-times

BC Conservative

Launch an expert commission to look into reducing wait-times within 100 days of forming government, using approaches from other public systems

"Within its first 100 days, a Conservative government will launch an expert commission to bring proven solutions from other public systems to BC, while ensuring British Columbians never need anything more than their health card to get care." — conservativebc.ca, retrieved 2026-10-13
Publicly-fund treatment through private providers when medically-recommended surgical wait benchmarks are exceeded

"Protect universal public health care and introduce a Universal Health-Care Guarantee: publicly funded treatment through another qualified provider when medically recommended surgical wait benchmarks are exceeded." — Ready to Deliver, retrieved 2026-10-18
Add a new MRI machine at Eagle Ridge Hospital

"New MRI machine at Eagle Ridge Hospital. A new Conservative Government will deliver a new, state-of-the-art MRI machine at Eagle Ridge Hospital in Port Moody, improving access to high quality diagnostic care to Tri-Cities residents." — conservativebc.ca, retrieved 2026-10-23
Provide $60M towards a cardiac catheterization laboratory at Nanaimo General Hospital

"The Conservative Party of BC is committing $60 million in provincial funding toward a cardiac catheterization laboratory at Nanaimo Regional General Hospital.

The commitment would advance a long-awaited project intended to provide more timely, potentially life-saving cardiac treatment for more than 450,000 residents of Central and Northern Vancouver Island.

Currently, patients requiring specialized interventional cardiac procedures must often be transferred to Victoria or the Lower Mainland, creating additional delays and placing considerable strain on patients, families and emergency medical services."

— conservativebc.ca, retrieved 2026-10-23

BC Green

Create a central, single-entry model for referrals, rather than distributed lists

"Centralize referrals for surgeries and team-based models of non-surgical and pre-surgical care by introducing a single-entry model, rather than distributed lists." — Believe in Better, retrieved 2026-10-13

BC NDP

Introduce coordinated regional wait-lists to more efficiently match patients with capacity across their region

"Currently, how long a patient waits for surgery can depend largely on which surgeon they were referred to, which can vary significantly, between 10 and 50-plus weeks for some surgeries. Eby’s plan will bring in coordinated regional waitlists so patients can be matched more efficiently with capacity across the region. It also means patients can choose a specific surgeon, an appointment at their closest hospital, or the shortest possible wait time. Recent research found that coordinating waitlists could halve surgery wait times for most patients across all regions." — bcndp.ca, retrieved 2026-10-13
Add 8 new MRI machines and 10 CT scanners, including an MRI machine at Eagle Ridge Hospital and in Chilliwack, and a CT scanner in Haida Gwaii

"Eby’s plan will also expand B.C.’s diagnostic capacity by approximately 15% with eight new MRI machines and 10 CT scanners, giving people in fast-growing and rural communities faster access to critical scans, quicker diagnoses, and earlier care closer to home. This includes bringing the first-ever MRI machine to Eagle Ridge Hospital – sparing local people from stressful, delayed transfers to neighbouring facilities for essential scans." — bcndp.ca, retrieved 2026-10-13

"A re-elected BC NDP government will deliver an MRI machine to Chilliwack General Hospital, helping to address the community’s unmet need for faster access to vital diagnostic imaging closer to home." — bcndp.ca, retrieved 2026-10-23

"A re-elected BC NDP government will deliver a new CT scanner at Haida Gwaii Hospital and Health Centre–Xaayda Gwaay Ngaaysdll Naay, helping people access vital diagnostic imaging sooner and closer to home." — bcndp.ca, retrieved 2026-10-23
Invest in robotic-assisted surgery

"Advanced surgical care:New investment in robotic-assisted surgery enables less invasive procedures, smaller incisions, shorter hospital stays, and faster recoveries." — bcndp.ca, retrieved 2026-10-13
Create a new app for patients to track referrals, view expected wait times, and access health records

"Real-time referral tracking: A new BC Health Passport app will let patients track referrals, view expected wait times, and access health records directly from their phones so they’re not left in the dark, not knowing when a referral will come through." — bcndp.ca, retrieved 2026-10-13

Drugs and addiction

BC Conservative

End the prescribed alternatives programme, which provides people addicted to drugs with access to prescribed, safer alternatives

"End the NDP’s failed “safe supply” experiment and expand access to naloxone." — conservativebc.ca, retrieved 2026-10-13
Review overdose prevention and safe consumption sites, and reduce their number

"Conduct a review and reform of OPSes and injection/inhalation sites in consultation with local communities, with the goal of fewer and better-situated options that effectively provide a path to treatment and recovery." — Ready to Deliver, retrieved 2026-10-18
Amend the Mental Health Act to allow police officers to send people to mandatory treatment

"Empower police to enforce the Mental Health Act and amend the Act so officers can connect people with mandatory treatment." — conservativebc.ca, retrieved 2026-10-13
Expand access to naloxone
Ban illegal drug use in hospitals, shelters, and publicly-funded supportive housing

"Stop illegal drug use in hospitals, shelters and publicly funded supportive housing, so residents and staff are protected." — conservativebc.ca, retrieved 2026-10-13
Show 2 more promises...

Expand detoxification, clinical treatment, recovery housing, and aftercare, including regional capacity for rural and northern communities and wraparound supports

"We will expand detoxification, clinical treatment, recovery housing and aftercare across British Columbia, including regional capacity for rural and northern communities. Treatment will connect vulnerable people with housing, employment, primary care and family support." — Ready to Deliver, retrieved 2026-10-18

"Recovery must be supported beyond the initial intervention. People leaving treatment or corrections will have appropriate plans for care, housing and follow-up." — Ready to Deliver, retrieved 2026-10-18
Improve coordination between child and family services, anti-drug education in schools, mental health and addiction services, education, and housing

"We will strengthen upstream intervention for vulnerable children and youth, particularly those already receiving provincial services or at risk of falling through gaps between systems. We will improve coordination between child and family services, anti-drug education in schools, mental health and addiction services, education and housing so young people do not lose critical supports as they transition into adulthood." — Ready to Deliver, retrieved 2026-10-18

BC Communist

Demand action by federal and provincial governments to fully provide pharmacare, optical and dental care, and mental health and addiction rehabilitation.

BC Green

Extend the Mobile Response Team's psychosocial support, education, and training to peers working on the frontlines of the toxic drug crisis

"Extend the Mobile Response Team’s psychosocial support, education, and training to peers working on the frontlines of the toxic drug crisis, ensuring that everyone impacted by critical incidents, such as overdoses, receives necessary support." — Believe in Better, retrieved 2026-10-13
Provide regulated, pharmaceutical alternatives to the illicit drug supply

"Provide regulated, pharmaceutical alternatives to the illicit drug supply to reduce fatalities associated with substance use. Our main priority must be keeping people alive. The supply must be based on advice from health professionals and advocacy groups." — Believe in Better, retrieved 2026-10-13
Ensure supervised consumption sites and overdose prevention sites have safe inhalation spaces
Ensure supervised consumption sites and overdose prevention sites serve as connection points for detox, recovery, housing, and other supports

"Enhance access to supervised consumption sites and overdose prevention sites. Ensure that they have the capacity for safe inhalation spaces to reduce harm and public drug use, and support public safety. Ensure these spaces are connection points for detox, recovery, housing, and other supports." — Believe in Better, retrieved 2026-10-13
Increase access to transitional and public housing projects for drug users, with wrap-around healthcare and harm reduction

"Increase access to transitional and public housing projects, with wrap-around healthcare and harm reduction principles." — Believe in Better, retrieved 2026-10-13
Show 8 more promises...

Match investments in bed-based care with a spectrum of community-based outpatient substance use treatment services
Decriminalise possession of drugs for personal use, and ensure full supports for drug users that weren't made available when decriminalisation was first half-tried

"Treat drug use as a health and social issue, not a criminal one, by decriminalising possession of drugs for personal use. Alongside decriminalization, implement the measures on housing, mental health, and voluntary care that the Eby’s Government failed to, ensuring people who use drugs have the full range of support needed." — Believe in Better, retrieved 2026-10-13
Ensure children and youth are educated about drug risks and supported by trusted adults to make informed decisions
Build out mobile and 24-hour overdose prevention sites
Allocate annual funding for existing drug-checking services

"Allocate annual funding for existing drug-checking services to ensure their sustainability." — Believe in Better, retrieved 2026-10-13
Create an evidence-based standard of care for all substance use treatment services, informed by experts and community leaders
Create an accessible, voluntary treatment system for mental health and substance use

"Create and fund an accessible, voluntary system for mental health and substance use, reducing the use of police and criminal justice resources on healthcare issues." — Believe in Better, retrieved 2026-10-13
Include people working on the frontlines of the overdose crisis, and those who have experienced substance use, in decision-making processes

"Ensure that individuals working on the frontlines and those with lived experiences of substance use are supported and valued in decision-making processes." — Believe in Better, retrieved 2026-10-13

We don't have any BC NDP policies on Drugs and addiction.

Emergency wait-times

BC Conservative

Launch an expert commission to look into reducing wait-times within 100 days of forming government, using approaches from other public systems

"Within its first 100 days, a Conservative government will launch an expert commission to bring proven solutions from other public systems to BC, while ensuring British Columbians never need anything more than their health card to get care." — conservativebc.ca, retrieved 2026-10-13
Invest $50M into an emergency fund

"A Conservative government will keep emergency rooms open. It will hire and retain more doctors and nurses, support rural medical practices at risk of closing, and invest $50 million into an emergency fund, all while protecting current health care funding." — conservativebc.ca, retrieved 2026-10-13

BC Communist

Give paramedics regular pay, not “standby pay”.

We don't have any BC Green policies on Emergency wait-times.

We don't have any BC NDP policies on Emergency wait-times.

Family doctors and primary care

BC Conservative

Add new Urgent and Primary Care Centres in Coquitlam, North Delta, Surrey, Comox Valley, Greater Victoria, Port Hardy, Steveston, Cowichan Valley, Oceanside, Terrace, and Kitimat

"Lorne Doerkson outlined his plan today to deliver new Urgent and Primary Care Centres (UPCCs) to Coquitlam, North Delta, Surrey, Comox Valley, Greater Victoria, Port Hardy, Steveston, Cowichan Valley, Oceanside, Terrace and Kitimat." — conservativebc.ca, retrieved 2026-10-23
Never require families to transition to a centralised care model

"Ensure families retain access to independent support providers of their choice. We will never compel families to transition to a centralized care model." — Ready to Deliver, retrieved 2026-10-18

BC Communist

End the NDP government’s moves to expand for-profit virtual care and long-term care and to subcontract healthcare services.
Ensure every family has access to a family physician.

BC Green

Establish an integrated Community Health Centre in every riding in the province

BC NDP

Build 20 more team-based primary care clinics

"Opening more clinics: Build 20 additional team-based primary care clinics to provide timely, in-person care and ease hospital pressure." — bcndp.ca, retrieved 2026-10-13
Bring nurse practitioners under the Medicare Protection Act to stop clinics from charging user fees

"Care with your health card, not your credit card: Close legal loopholes, strengthen rules, and bring nurse practitioners under the Medicare Protection Act to stop clinics from charging user fees." — bcndp.ca, retrieved 2026-10-13
Add new Urgent and Primary Care Centres in North Delta, Coquitlam, Courtenay—Comox, Greater Victoria, Richmond—Steveston, Port Hardy, Parksville—Qualicum Beach, Cowichan Valley, Kitimat, Terrace, and others
1. North Delta
2. Coquitlam
3. Courtenay—Comox
4. Greater Victoria
5. Richmond—Steveston
6. Port Hardy
7. Parksville—Qualicum Beach
8. Cowichan Valley
9. Kitimat
10. Terrace
11. Penticton
12. North Vancouver
13. Oliver
14. Langley
15. South Vancouver
16. Shawnigan Lake, Mill Bay, and Cobble Hill
"A re-elected BC NDP government will add a new Urgent and Primary Care Centre in North Delta, making it easier for people to get care for minor illnesses and injuries closer to home, and reducing pressure on hospital emergency departments." — bcndp.ca, retrieved 2026-10-13

"A re-elected BC NDP government will open a new Urgent and Primary Care Centre in Coquitlam. This builds on the 48 UPCCs already opened across the province, including in Port Moody and Port Coquitlam." — bcndp.ca, retrieved 2026-10-13

"The BC NDP will open a new Urgent and Primary Care Centre (UPCC) in Courtenay–Comox, making it easier for people to access care for illnesses and injuries close to home while easing pressure on hospital emergency departments." — bcndp.ca, retrieved 2026-10-18

"A re-elected BC NDP government will open a new Urgent and Primary Care Centre (UPCC) in the Capital Regional District, giving more people access to timely care for illnesses and injuries close to home while helping ease pressure on hospital emergency departments." — bcndp.ca, retrieved 2026-10-18

"A re-elected BC NDP government will open a new Urgent and Primary Care Centre (UPCC) in Port Hardy, giving people on the North Island another option for getting medical attention when they need it and helping ensure hospital emergency departments can focus on patients who require emergency care." — bcndp.ca, retrieved 2026-10-18

"The BC NDP will build a new Urgent and Primary Care Centre in the Steveston neighbourhood. This will be the third UPCC opened by the BC NDP in Richmond, after the City Centre and Richmond East centres." — bcndp.ca, retrieved 2026-10-18

"A re-elected BC NDP government will open a new Urgent and Primary Care Centre (UPCC) in the Cowichan Valley, giving more people access to timely care for illnesses and injuries close to home while helping ease pressure on hospital emergency departments." — bcndp.ca, retrieved 2026-10-18

"A re-elected BC NDP government will open a new Urgent and Primary Care Centre (UPCC) in Parksville-Qualicum Beach, giving more people access to timely care for illnesses and injuries close to home while helping ease pressure on hospital emergency departments." — bcndp.ca, retrieved 2026-10-18

"A re-elected BC NDP government will bring new Urgent and Primary Care Centres to Kitimat and Terrace, helping people in the Northwest access timely medical care closer to home." — bcndp.ca, retrieved 2026-10-18

"A re-elected BC NDP government will bring a second Urgent and Primary Care Centre to Penticton, helping people access timely medical care closer to home." — bcndp.ca, retrieved 2026-10-18
Expand same-day appointments and evening and weekend care through targeted incentives

"Get you an appointment in 24 hours: Expand same-day appointments and evening and weekend care through targeted incentives so people get care when they need it." — bcndp.ca, retrieved 2026-10-22
Expand hours at the Edmonds Urgent and Primary Care Centre to provide full-day service

"A re-elected BC NDP government will expand the hours at the Edmonds Urgent and Primary Care Centre (UPCC) from evening and weekends only to full-day service, giving more people access to timely care for illnesses and injuries close to home while helping ease pressure on hospital emergency departments." — bcndp.ca, retrieved 2026-10-23

Gender-affirming care

We don't have any BC Conservative policies on Gender-affirming care.

BC Communist

Protect and expand access to gender-affirming healthcare for trans people.

We don't have any BC Green policies on Gender-affirming care.

We don't have any BC NDP policies on Gender-affirming care.

Health administration

We don't have any BC Conservative policies on Health administration.

BC Green

Look into creating a consolidated health authority with joint services and localised decision-making

"Review the Health Authority model, with a focus on creating a consolidated health authority with joint services and localized decision-making within communities." — Believe in Better, retrieved 2026-10-13
Require health authorities to collect and share data for workforce planning, ensuring alignment with educational institutions

"Require health authorities to collect and share data for workforce planning, ensuring alignment with educational institutes. Take a longer time horizon for data collection, and monitor the impacts of all-of-government spending and decisions on population-level health and wellbeing metrics." — Believe in Better, retrieved 2026-10-13

We don't have any BC NDP policies on Health administration.

Health staffing

We don't have any BC Conservative policies on Health staffing.

BC Communist

Stop the erosion of public healthcare through P3 private contracting.
Prioritize the expansion of hospital beds, reduction of surgery wait times, training of family physicians and nursing staff, and improve conditions in long-term care homes.
Provide incentives for healthcare students from northern and isolated areas to practice their profession in their home communities.
Provide a streamlined avenue for low-income healthcare students to study medicine in Canada, or abroad such as at the world renown ELAM school in Cuba.

BC Green

Increase funding for nurses in the public system to support safe nurse-to-patient ratios

"Centralize referrals for surgeries and team-based models of non-surgical and pre-surgical care by introducing a single-entry model, rather than distributed lists." — Believe in Better, retrieved 2026-10-13
Phase out reliance on private agency nurses and for-profit staffing agencies

"Centralize referrals for surgeries and team-based models of non-surgical and pre-surgical care by introducing a single-entry model, rather than distributed lists." — Believe in Better, retrieved 2026-10-13
Require health authorities to collect and share data for workforce planning, ensuring alignment with educational institutions

"Require health authorities to collect and share data for workforce planning, ensuring alignment with educational institutes. Take a longer time horizon for data collection, and monitor the impacts of all-of-government spending and decisions on population-level health and wellbeing metrics." — Believe in Better, retrieved 2026-10-13
Review loan forgiveness and paid practicums for all healthcare students to incentivise sufficient staffing

"Review loan forgiveness and paid practicums for all healthcare students to incentivize sufficient staffing and support training." — Believe in Better, retrieved 2026-10-13
Regulate radiographers and medical imaging technologists so they can work the full scope of their practice
Show 2 more promises...

Adopt the federal government's nurse-developed "Nursing Retention Toolkit: Improving the Working Lives of Nurses in Canada" to improve the working lives of nurses and increase retention

"Adopt and implement the ‘Nursing Retention Toolkit: Improving the Working Lives of Nurses in Canada’." — Believe in Better, retrieved 2026-10-13
Work with health unions to support recruitment and retention of staff

"Work with health unions to support the recruitment and retention of qualified health care staff." — Believe in Better, retrieved 2026-10-13

BC NDP

Launch an accelerated "bridging to practice" training programme for qualified international medical graduates already living in BC

"Fast-tracking for international graduates living in B.C.: Launch an accelerated "bridging to practice" training program for qualified international medical graduates already living in B.C. but unable to practice family medicine because of a lack of residency seats." — bcndp.ca, retrieved 2026-10-13
Add 1,000 training seats for nurses, nurse practitioners, allied health workers, and care aides

"Training health care workers: Add 1,000 training seats for nurses, nurse practitioners, allied health workers and care aides, including a 20% increase in nursing seats." — bcndp.ca, retrieved 2026-10-13
Cap fees and hours for agency nurses, and prevent people from working as agency nurses in the same hospital where they were recently employed

"Phase out expensive agency nurses: Over the next three years, eliminate hospital reliance on costly private temp agencies by capping fees and hours and preventing people from working as agency nurses in the same hospital where they were recently employed. Redirect savings to rural travel nurse programs." — bcndp.ca, retrieved 2026-10-13
Triple the US health care recruitment campaign by expanding outreach into Republican states that restrict reproductive care

"Triple the targeted U.S. health care recruitment campaign, expanding outreach into “red states” where doctors and nurses are facing laws that restrict their ability to provide life-saving reproductive care.

Highlight a clear alternative for US health care professionals: a publicly funded health-care system where professionals can focus on caring for patients, not fighting with insurance companies in a private, for-profit system that can leave people facing catastrophic debt."

— bcndp.ca, retrieved 2026-10-22

"Highlight job opportunities in high-need areas like cancer care, emergency departments, and rural communities." — bcndp.ca, retrieved 2026-10-22
Provide loan forgiveness and moving expense support to lure BC-trained healthcare professionals back from the States

"Target B.C.-trained health care professionals living and working in the U.S. with incentives such as loan forgiveness and moving expense support to bring them home." — bcndp.ca, retrieved 2026-10-22
Show 2 more promises...

Provide enhanced, day-to-day, one-on-one relational support for US healthcare workers and their families to ease their transition, licensing, and integration into BC

"Provide enhanced, day-to-day relational support for U.S. healthcare workers and their families, offering one-on-one navigation through Health Match BC to ease their transition, licensing, and integration into local B.C. communities." — bcndp.ca, retrieved 2026-10-22
Enshrine minimum nurse-to-patient ratios in law

"Eby also announced that a re-elected BC NDP will make sure nurses have more time with the people they care for by enshrining minimum nurse-to-patient ratios into law. He committed to continue working to implement ratios across the health care system – starting next with emergency rooms." — bcndp.ca, retrieved 2026-10-23

Hospitals

BC Conservative

Build a new women's and children's hospital in Surrey

"Commit to completing the new Surrey hospital and building a new women’s and children’s hospital in Surrey, ensuring one of British Columbia’s fastest-growing regions has the health infrastructure it needs." — Ready to Deliver, retrieved 2026-10-18

BC Communist

Properly fund hospitals to end emergency room closures.

BC Green

Immediately reinstate a plan to build the Burnaby Hospital redevelopment through a Project Labour Agreement

"Immediately reinstate a plan to build the BC Burnaby Hospital through a Project Labour Agreement, providing workers and Burnabarians with excellent jobs from construction to surgery and expanding healthcare services where we need it most." — Believe in Better, retrieved 2026-10-13
Provide more long-term care beds to support effective triage in ERs

"Support effective triage in the ER with more long-term care beds." — Believe in Better, retrieved 2026-10-13

BC NDP

Provide $30M to add a permanent inpatient unit on Kelowna General Hospital's sixth floor

"More beds at Kelowna General: $30 million adds a permanent inpatient unit on the sixth floor, replacing a temporary ward behind the emergency department." — bcndp.ca, retrieved 2026-10-23

Mental health

BC Conservative

Expand psychiatric services, crisis response, and residential treatment

"Improve access to mental health care by expanding psychiatric services, crisis response and residential treatment." — conservativebc.ca, retrieved 2026-10-13
Amend the Mental Health Act to allow police officers to send people to mandatory treatment

"Empower police to enforce the Mental Health Act and amend the Act so officers can connect people with mandatory treatment." — conservativebc.ca, retrieved 2026-10-13
Conduct an independent review of the Mental Health Act

"Conduct an independent review of the Mental Health Act to address a broad range of issues including brain injuries, schizophrenia and dementia." — Ready to Deliver, retrieved 2026-10-18

BC Green

Provide six free visits to a mental health professional annually

"Include six visits annually to a mental health professional, such as a psychologist, under the Medical Services Plan (MSP), ensuring early access to mental health support for all British Columbians." — Believe in Better, retrieved 2026-10-13
Provide sustained, multi-year funding for the Canadian Mental Health Association's Mind and Mood Clinical Care Network, which provides mental health care and employment services in a single virtual network

"Commit to sustained, multi-year funding for the Canadian Mental Health Association’s Mind and Mood Clinical Care Network, bringing together psychiatrists, psychologists, counsellors, CBT-based coaches, and employment services into one virtual network." — Believe in Better, retrieved 2026-10-13
Create a pilot project for 24/7 neighbourhood mental health centres across the province

"Establish a working group to create a pilot project for 24/7 neighbourhood mental health centres across the province, incorporating diverse and representative experiences and perspectives and decreasing labour and cost on emergency and primary healthcare services." — Believe in Better, retrieved 2026-10-13
Increase funding to provincial programmes that provide counselling and psychotherpay to women, queer, and trans people, and children affected by intimate partner or domestic violence

"Increase funding to provincial programs that provide counselling and psychotherapy to women, queer and trans people, and/or children experiencing, leaving, or recovering from intimate partner and/or domestic violence." — Believe in Better, retrieved 2026-10-13
Expand the loan-forgiveness model for rural and remote mental health workers, and create a dedicated programme for mental health worker scholarships and loan repayments

"Expand the existing rural/remote loan-forgiveness program model and create a dedicated BC Mental Health Workforce Scholarship and Loan-Repayment Program, structuring disbursement around demonstrated workforce shortages to encourage an increase in psychologists, psychiatrists, psychiatric nurses, clinical social workers, and addictions specialists." — Believe in Better, retrieved 2026-10-13
Show 21 more promises...

Integrate mental health crises as the fourth option in 911 emergency services

"Integrate mental health as the fourth option in 911 emergency services to accommodate mental health crises that do not align with the traditional ambulance, fire or police options." — Believe in Better, retrieved 2026-10-13
Invest $500K to create consistent protocols for 911 operators, first responders, and mobile crisis teams for responding to mental health crises

"Establish provincial leadership and invest $500,000 to create consistent protocols for 911 operators, first responders, and mobile crisis teams to ensure coordinated and effective mental health crisis responses." — Believe in Better, retrieved 2026-10-13
Require training in trauma-informed practices and Indigenous cultural safety for 911 operators, first responders, and mobile crisis teams

"Ensure trauma-informed practice and Indigenous Cultural Safety education is mandated and provided for 911 operators, first responders, and mobile crisis teams." — Believe in Better, retrieved 2026-10-13
Increase access to mental health care and support for first responders and their families

"Increase access to mental health care and support for first responders and their families, including raising awareness about mental health tools and resources and reducing the stigma surrounding their use." — Believe in Better, retrieved 2026-10-13
Immediately bring BC's Mental Health Act into compliance with the Constitution, including strengthening protections around consent, capacity, involuntary treatment, and independent oversight

"Act immediately to bring BC’s legislation into compliance with the Constitution, including strengthening protections around consent, capacity, involuntary treatment, and independent oversight." — Believe in Better, retrieved 2026-10-13
Strike a working group with lived and professional expertise to examine the Mental Health Act in its entirety and ensure that it is Charter-compliant, evidence-based, and effective

"Following the policy approach of “Nothing About Us Without Us,” strike a working group of independent actors with lived and professional experience and expertise to examine the Mental Health Act in its entirety to ensure that provincial mental health legislation is not only charter compliant but evidence-based, effective, and informed by lived and living experience." — Believe in Better, retrieved 2026-10-13
Ensure specific resources and attention are given to developing mental health legislation that upholds and protects the rights and dignity of children and youth

"Ensure that specific resources and attention are given to the development of mental health legislation that upholds and protects the rights and dignity of children and youth, following the recommendations of the Representative for Children & Youth’s report “Putting Children and Youth at the Centre: Reforming and Modernizing the Mental Health Act for Children and Youth.”" — Believe in Better, retrieved 2026-10-13
Address inequitable impacts of mental health legislation on Indigenous people, Black and racialised communities, people with disabilities, members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, and other identity groups

"Examine and address disparities and any inequitable impacts of mental health legislation on people based on identity, including but not limited to Indigenous People, Black and racialized communities, people with disabilities, and members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community." — Believe in Better, retrieved 2026-10-13
Ensure mental health legislation is compliant with the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples

"Make certain the development, content, and implementation of mental health legislation is compliant with the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

Ensure provincial legislation strengthens Indigenous determinants of health, including connections to land, culture, identity, spirituality, language, and traditional health practices."

— Believe in Better, retrieved 2026-10-13
Establish an Independent Office of the Mental Health Advocate to advocate and oversee the mental health system, including involuntary treatment programmes and any holds authorised under the Mental Health Act

"Establish an Independent Office of the Mental Health Advocate to provide individual and system advocacy and oversight to the provincial mental health system, including involuntary treatment programs and any holds authorized under the Mental Health Act." — Believe in Better, retrieved 2026-10-13
Invest in proactive monitoring processes of the mental health system, independent of government and the healthcare system

"Invest in proactive monitoring processes that are independent of government and the healthcare system." — Believe in Better, retrieved 2026-10-13
Create a data collection programme with transparent reporting processes to allow meaningful public analysis of the system

"Create and maintain a data collection program, and establish transparent reporting processes so that information and records are accessible and allow meaningful public analysis of how the system is working and what changes are needed." — Believe in Better, retrieved 2026-10-13
Ensure specific, audited training, oversight, and accountability for healthcare workers, police, and justice workers who come into contact with those held, or at risk of being held, under the Mental Health Act

"Together with the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Public Safety, and the Solicitor General, ensure specific training, oversight, and accountability is established, audited, and maintained for health care workers, police officers, and criminal justice actors who come into contact with those held or are at risk of being held under the Mental Health Act." — Believe in Better, retrieved 2026-10-13
Fully regulate psychotherapy professions

"Commit to the full regulation of psychotherapy professions, including psychologists, counsellors, therapists, and social workers, to increase public protection, provide accountability, and legitimize these essential professions." — Believe in Better, retrieved 2026-10-13
Implement all recommendations from the BC Coroner's Death Review Panel report on youth and young adult suicides

"Implement all of the recommendations from the BC Coroner’s Death Review Panel report “Creating Connection, Supporting Strength: A Review of Youth and Young Adult Deaths by Suicide in British Columbia”." — Believe in Better, retrieved 2026-10-13
Invest sustained, multi-year funding for youth-focused mental health programmes, including Foundry and the Take a Hike Foundation

"Invest sustained, multi-year funding for youth-focused mental health programs, including Foundry BC, and BC’s Take a Hike Foundation." — Believe in Better, retrieved 2026-10-13
Provide one place for children, youth, and families to access mental health services

"Following recommendations from BC’s Child and Youth Wellbeing Action Plan50, coordinate government initiatives to provide one front door for children, youth, and families to access services." — Believe in Better, retrieved 2026-10-13
Create a paid youth advisory structure to provide child and youth involvement in the design and delivery of mental health programmes and services

"Establish a paid youth-advisory structure to ensure there is meaningful child and youth involvement in the design and delivery of programs, services, and community connection opportunities." — Believe in Better, retrieved 2026-10-13
Address the abrupt transition between pediatric and adult mental healthcare

"Address the abrupt transition between pediatric and adult mental health care by ensuring seamless and effective connections to support services at all stages of life." — Believe in Better, retrieved 2026-10-13
Improve care for people with co-occuring mental illnesses, substance use disorders, and brain injuries

"Improve systems of care for individuals with co-occurring mental illness, substance use disorders, and brain injuries, ensuring they receive integrated, evidence-based, and comprehensive treatment." — Believe in Better, retrieved 2026-10-13
Increase community-based services for people with eating disorders, and develop stepped-care models prioritising autonomy and self-directed recovery

"Increase community-based services for individuals with eating disorders and develop stepped-care models that prioritize autonomy and self-directed recovery, with inpatient care available when necessary." — Believe in Better, retrieved 2026-10-13

We don't have any BC NDP policies on Mental health.

Rural healthcare

BC Conservative

Create a $50M Rural Health Emergency Fund and use flexible staffing to keep rural ERs and maternity wards open

"Keep rural ERs and maternity wards open, backed by flexible staffing and a $50-million Rural Health Emergency Fund." — Ready to Deliver, retrieved 2026-10-18
Increase access to rural medical transportation

"Rural health care transport. Increase access to rural medical transport capabilities to save lives and improve health outcomes." — Ready to Deliver, retrieved 2026-10-18
Provide measures including travel assistance, mobile therapy, outreach, virtual care options, and flexible direct funding

"Strengthen support for families in rural BC, with measures including travel assistance, mobile therapy, outreach, virtual care options, and flexible direct funding." — Ready to Deliver, retrieved 2026-10-18

We don't have any BC Green policies on Rural healthcare.

BC NDP

Offer discounted tuition, loan forgiveness, and moving expenses to encourage health professionals to serve rural areas facing staffing shortages

"Supporting rural communities and emergency departments: Offer discounted tuition, loan forgiveness, and moving expenses to attract health care professionals to underserved rural areas facing staffing shortages." — bcndp.ca, retrieved 2026-10-13

Seniors' care

BC Conservative

Match the federal Multigenerational Home Renovation Tax Credit

"Multigenerational Home Renovation Tax Credit. We will match the federal tax credit with provincial tax relief for families creating self-contained living spaces for senior relatives, lowering housing costs and freeing up more homes." — Ready to Deliver, retrieved 2026-10-18
Expand long-term care and help seniors age at home, including consumer-directed, publicly-funded home-care choices from accredited providers

"Expand long-term care and help seniors age at home, including consumer-directed, publicly funded home-care choices from accredited providers." — Ready to Deliver, retrieved 2026-10-18
Restore the seniors' property tax deferral terms

"Restore the seniors’ property tax deferral. Restore the tax deferral terms so seniors are not taxed out of their homes and can remain in the communities where they are secure." — Ready to Deliver, retrieved 2026-10-18
Provide portable public funding for long-term care for those currently waiting for a bed, which they can use with qualified public, non-profit, and private providers

"Choice for seniors. We will provide portable public funding for long-term care for the 7,200 people waiting, so eligible seniors and their families have a choice among qualified providers, including public, non-profit and private options." — Ready to Deliver, retrieved 2026-10-18
Expand HandyDART services to areas of greatest demands, and enforce service quality standards for HandyDART contractors

"HandyDART. We will expand HandyDART services to areas of greatest demand, ensuring seniors have access to affordable, reliable transportation, and we will enforce service quality standards for HandyDART contractors to improve transportation reliability for seniors." — Ready to Deliver, retrieved 2026-10-18
Provide free shingles vaccination for seniors

"Free shingles vaccination for seniors. A free shingles vaccine program will reduce doctor visits, emergency room trips, hospital stays, and long-term pain for older adults in British Columbia, saving money over time by preventing avoidable care." — Ready to Deliver, retrieved 2026-10-18

BC Green

Scale homeshare housing to match renters with seniors living in a full house

"Support and scale homeshare housing that matches responsible renters with seniors living in a full house - providing affordable housing, gentle density, and intergenerational support." — Believe in Better, retrieved 2026-10-13
Tie restrictions on rent and additional fee increases in assisted living to the unit, not just the tenant, so that seniors aren't evicted just to increase fees

"Apply vacancy control to assisted living, including the additional fees for services, to protect seniors from rent increases and extra charges." — Believe in Better, retrieved 2026-10-13
Improve access to respite care and day programmes

"Improve access to respite care and day programs, ensuring that at-home care services are available for both medical care and assistance with daily tasks." — Believe in Better, retrieved 2026-10-13
Develop a plan to increase the number of publicly-funded long-term care facilities

"Develop and implement a detailed plan to increase the number of publicly-funded long-term care facilities to meet the growing demand for senior care services." — Believe in Better, retrieved 2026-10-13
Develop a rural seniors strategy to address the needs of seniors in rural communities

"Develop and implement a rural seniors strategy to address the needs of seniors in rural communities." — Believe in Better, retrieved 2026-10-13
Show 3 more promises...

Support family practitioners to do more early screening for dementia
Develop a dementia support strategy, with a focus on cultural safety

"Establish a clear dementia care pathway and support family practitioners to do more early screening for dementia, and develop a dementia support strategy, with a focus on cultural safety." — Believe in Better, retrieved 2026-10-13
Make all recommended vaccines free for everyone

"Make all recommended vaccines available to all people, at no cost to the consumer." — Believe in Better, retrieved 2026-10-13

BC NDP

Provide $90M toward redeveloping the former Oak Bay Lodge site as a new community health and seniors' care hub

"David Eby, Leader of the BC NDP, announced today that a re-elected BC NDP government will provide a $90 million contribution in provincial funding toward the redevelopment of the former Oak Bay Lodge site.

The site on Cadboro Bay Road is being planned as a new community health and seniors’ care hub where people can access a range of services closer to home, including care for seniors, long-term care, hospice and respite services, adult day programs and primary care."

— bcndp.ca, retrieved 2026-10-13
Make the shingles vaccine free for all adults aged 50+, and all immunocompromised adults

"Free shingles vaccines: Covering the full cost of the two-dose shingles vaccine for all adults aged 50+ and all immunocompromised adults, to prevent unnecessary hospital visits and help people live healthier lives." — bcndp.ca, retrieved 2026-10-13
Bring more nurse practitioners, pharmacy services, and virtual specialist consultations into long-term care homes

"Better care for long-term care residents: Bringing more nurse practitioners, pharmacy services, and virtual specialist consultations into long-term care homes so residents can avoid trips to hospital, and setting up more teams to support patients ready to leave hospital and return to community-based care." — bcndp.ca, retrieved 2026-10-13
Restart seven paused long-term care projects

"Building more long-term care beds faster and for less: With the funding secured through the BC-Canada Prosperity agreement, the BC NDP will move ahead with seven long-term care projects that had been paused earlier this year, using a new model that lowers per-bed costs, shortens construction timelines, and helps us build beds at scale for the future. These seven projects are in addition to the 16 long-term care projects already completed, seven under construction, and 15 more in planning." — bcndp.ca, retrieved 2026-10-13
Bring 5,000 care-home workers back into the public health employer system

"Fair wages for care workers:Bringing 5,000 care-home workers back into the public health employer system to ensure stable staffing, better continuity of care, and fair pay." — bcndp.ca, retrieved 2026-10-13
Show 3 more promises...

Add 500 health-care workers to support home care

"Expanding home care support: Adding 500 health-care workers to give more seniors faster, hands-on support, scrapping user fees, and expanding virtual Long-term Care at Home monitoring. Together, these steps will help roughly 5,600 more seniors stay safely in their homes longer." — bcndp.ca, retrieved 2026-10-13
Expand virtual Long-term Care at Home monitoring

"Expand home care support: Add 500 home care workers to give seniors faster, hands-on support, scrap user fees, and expand virtual Long-term Care at Home monitoring to help roughly 5,600 more seniors stay safely in their homes longer." — bcndp.ca, retrieved 2026-10-22
Create a $5M fund for community shuttles, including two to serve the Sunset Seniors Centre

"BC NDP candidates Sunita Dhir (Vancouver-Langara) and Aman Singh (Vancouver-Fraserview) today announced a new $5 million fund for community shuttles serving neighbourhoods across British Columbia.

The first shuttles to be funded will be two new community shuttles serving the Sunset neighbourhood.

The 15-passenger, wheelchair-accessible shuttles will bring seniors to the newly-opened Sunset Seniors Centre. They will help seniors who might otherwise struggle with mobility challenges access programming at the seniors centre - such as fitness classes and wellness courses in Punjabi and Chinese, community meals and community outings. These services provide seniors with physical activity and social connection, which are critical to their well-being."

— bcndp.ca, retrieved 2026-10-18

"These shuttles will be operated by the Sunset Community Association, which jointly governs the Sunset Community Centre with the Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation, and the Khalsa Diwan Society, which has served Vancouver’s Sikh community for over a century." — bcndp.ca, retrieved 2026-10-18

"The $5 million fund will support community shuttles for seniors centres, like in South Vancouver, as well as community centres serving kids, people living with disabilities and others who need help to access services or attend organized field trips." — bcndp.ca, retrieved 2026-10-18

Sexual and reproductive health

We don't have any BC Conservative policies on Sexual and reproductive health.

BC Green

Ensure mifepristone and misoprostol remain legally available via virtual telehealth clinics, with shipping to patients

"Ensure mifepristone and misoprostol remain legally available via virtual telehealth clinics, with medication able to be shipped to patients." — bcgreens.ca, retrieved 2026-10-23
Include sexual health services in community health centres
Provide direct funding to existing sexual health services
Require all fertility clinics to advertise full details on the life birth successes per cycle

"Require all fertility clinics to advertise full details on the life birth successes per cycle, including for additional or ‘add-on’ services." — bcgreens.ca, retrieved 2026-10-23
Review the midwifery funding model to ensure it's sustainable, addresses the needs of rural and Indigenous communities, and provides enough care in families' own communities

"Review the midwifery funding model to ensure it is sustainable, recognises the distinct needs of rural and Indigenous communities, and provides enough care so families can receive care in their own communities." — bcgreens.ca, retrieved 2026-10-23
Ensure mental health support for post-partum depression is fully covered MSP

BC NDP

Add a perinatal mental health unit to the BC Women's Hospital

"First-in-Canada perinatal mental health unit at B.C. Women’s Hospital to ensure mothers in a mental health crisis can heal with their babies by their side instead of being separated or going without inpatient care." — bcndp.ca, retrieved 2026-10-13

Vaccines

BC Conservative

Provide free shingles vaccination for seniors

"Free shingles vaccination for seniors. A free shingles vaccine program will reduce doctor visits, emergency room trips, hospital stays, and long-term pain for older adults in British Columbia, saving money over time by preventing avoidable care." — Ready to Deliver, retrieved 2026-10-18

BC Green

Make all recommended vaccines free for everyone

"Make all recommended vaccines available to all people, at no cost to the consumer." — Believe in Better, retrieved 2026-10-13

BC NDP

Invest in evidence-based health promotion and public awareness campaigns to counter vaccine misinformation

"Protecting science and public health: Investing in evidence-based health promotion and public awareness campaigns to counter misinformation on vaccines." — bcndp.ca, retrieved 2026-10-13
Make the shingles vaccine free for all adults aged 50+, and all immunocompromised adults

"Free shingles vaccines: Covering the full cost of the two-dose shingles vaccine for all adults aged 50+ and all immunocompromised adults, to prevent unnecessary hospital visits and help people live healthier lives." — bcndp.ca, retrieved 2026-10-13

Women's health

BC Conservative

Build a new women's and children's hospital in Surrey

"Commit to completing the new Surrey hospital and building a new women’s and children’s hospital in Surrey, ensuring one of British Columbia’s fastest-growing regions has the health infrastructure it needs." — Ready to Deliver, retrieved 2026-10-18

BC Green

Ensure mental health support for post-partum depression is fully covered MSP
Make vaginal estrogen available over-the-counter from pharmacists

BC NDP

Provide breast cancer survivors and women with medical conditions affordable PharmaCare coverage for alternative menopause treatments

"Better access to menopause care: Giving breast cancer survivors and women with medical conditions affordable PharmaCare coverage for alternative treatments (such as NK3 receptor antagonists), while making it faster and easier for postmenopausal women to get local vaginal estrogen through pharmacists for recurrent UTIs and physical discomfort." — bcndp.ca, retrieved 2026-10-13
Make easier for postmenopausal women to get local vaginal estrogen through pharmacists for recurrent UTIs and physical discomfort

"Better access to menopause care: Giving breast cancer survivors and women with medical conditions affordable PharmaCare coverage for alternative treatments (such as NK3 receptor antagonists), while making it faster and easier for postmenopausal women to get local vaginal estrogen through pharmacists for recurrent UTIs and physical discomfort." — bcndp.ca, retrieved 2026-10-13
Develop a province-wide women's health strategy

"A province-wide women's health strategy: Engaging B.C. women’s health experts to expand access to menopause care, reduce diagnostic and treatment delays, strengthen community reproductive, sexual and menstrual health services, and improve maternal and perinatal mental health care across B.C." — bcndp.ca, retrieved 2026-10-13