By Don Urquhart, Times Chronicle
A new healthcare development for the South Okanagan is expected to be announced soon with the NDP government again today during a press conference in Osoyoos making note of an imminent announcement by the Minister of Health specific to this area.
The Times Chronicle has heard from other credible sources of the coming announcement and understands this is possibly going to involve the creation of a primary care facility to alleviate the shortfalls of service at the South Okanagan General Hospital (SOGH).
The reference to an impending announcement by Heath Minister Adrian Dix was made by NDP House Leader Ravi Kahlon who was speaking to media in Osoyoos about the BC New Democrat Caucus visit to the South Okanagan.
Kahlon was asked by the Times Chronicle what the government intends to do for health care in the South Okanagan given the fact that changes to the way doctors are paid, anticipated to resolve the staffing crisis at the SOGH, have had little impact on emergency department closures.
Rattling off the various healthcare initiatives previously announced by the government Kahlon made the connection to the province’s moves on housing. “That’s why housing has been such a major focus for our government,” he said.
“That’s why we took action on short term rentals to ensure that housing can be prioritized for people in our community so that when we train professionals or we invite professionals from all over the world to come support us that they have housing to be able to be in the community.”
He then said “the Minister of Health will be sharing more information soon on next steps to support healthcare in this region,” but went no further.
Kahlon was also asked whether the $70 million that has been previously announced to assist farmers with replanting and building resiliency after the devastating cold snap last January was adequate given the planned rally in Osoyoos’ Gyro Park Tuesday afternoon by fruit growers seeking greater support.
“That’s why we’re here right now meeting folks to find out how we can better support them not only to navigate the impacts of climate change, but so that we can continue to see results in our local economy.”
He acknowledged that more supports are going to be needed by people in this region and said Premier David Eby along with the Minister of Agriculture and local MLA Roly Russell will be meeting local producers and farmers “to figure out how we can continue to support them.”
He added, “What happens here is this local economy is critical to British Columbia’s economy. And so that’s why we’re here. We’re here to engage with folks to see how we can support them and what their needs are as we move forward.”
He also confirmed that a member(s) of the caucus will attend the rally at Gyro Park.
He was also asked why the caucus meeting was being held in the South Okanagan and whether it had anything to do with recent polling which suggests voters are more likely to vote conservative in the Boundary-Similkameen riding at this present moment.
“We’re in the region right now because of real challenges that people in our communities are dealing with,” Kahlon said.
“We’re here talking to folks within the agriculture sector, we’re talking to folks in small businesses, we’re here talking to people that are trying to provide housing for communities and we are here because we represent all British Columbians.
“And it’s important for any government to make sure they go to communities to hear from people directly, we see what’s happening on the ground. That’s why we’ll we’re here,” he said.
“John Rustad doesn’t think climate change is real. He should come to this area and see what we’re seeing on the ground, which is people’s livelihoods are being impacted because of the climate and because of weather pattern changes.”
Kahlon also took a swipe at BC United party leader Kevin Falcon saying there is no difference between him and Rustad.
“They both sat around the same table when they brought in the carbon tax,” and were at the same table when making changes to ICBC which he described as a “dumpster fire” when the NDP government inherited it.
“They can pretend like they’re different than somehow but I think British Columbians will find when they look deeper, is that there’s real no difference between these two parties.”
He went on to say that the two leaders “continue to make backroom deals for figuring out how they can get into power . . . we’re focused on fighting for people . . . John Rustad and Kevin Falcon are just focused on fighting each other”.
