Lyonel Doherty

Times-Chronicle

Serious concerns over a lack of transparency did not stop the regional district from throwing its financial support behind the new primary care centre in Penticton.

It was a hard pill to swallow on May 6 for some directors who spoke against spending $1 million to help fund the centre at 437 Martin Street. 

The board initially voted not to fund the facility, but the vote was brought back and passed by a narrow margin (54.9 per cent in favour). Local directors Rick Knodel and Petra Veintimilla were two of seven who opposed the primary care centre expenditure to be taken out of the hospital reserve.

The board also voted to send a letter to the Minister of Health and the Interior Health Authority expressing concern about the lack of transparency and openness with regard to the facility on Martin Street.

The concern centres around the fact the regional district was asked to help fund the facility after it was developed and constructed.

“The opening of the facility and then the subsequent request for supplementary funding after the clinic was already constructed and opened was disappointing,” said regional district CAO Bill Newell.

Veintimilla said it was a “slap in the face” in terms of how the process was handled.

Judy Sentes, chair of the Okanagan-Similkameen Regional Hospital District, used her authority to bring the issue back for another vote.

She noted it came to her attention that several directors felt uninformed and confused during the previous vote. That’s why she brought it back for reconsideration.

Knodel reminded the board that it made its position very clear before by voting down the request.

Board chair Karla Kozakevich said they need to be involved much earlier on before something is built.

Director Sue McKortoff agreed, saying both the health minister and Interior Health need to know that what happened was inappropriate.

Director Spencer Coyne said they need to be treated like an equal funding partner, not an entity that you merely request money from. He noted that taxpayers deserve more respect than that.

Coyne said there is no way the regional district could get away with building something then asking for funding afterwards.

He said residents in his area see the value of urgent primary care, but don’t support this particular request and how it played out. He questioned how the primary care centre will benefit people outside of Penticton, and if other communities will get funding for their own centres.

Carl Meadows from Interior Health clarified that the primary care centre in Penticton will be a service for everyone to use in the South Okanagan. 

Rural Osoyoos director Mark Pendergraft cautioned the board about what type of message it sends to the powers that be (if directors vote down the request). He said a negative vote could make the board look like it doesn’t support primary care facilities.

“Therefore, anything we ask for in the future will go to the bottom of the pile.” Pendergraft said this could mean the regional district will no longer be eligible for funding for primary care centres in communities like Oliver and Osoyoos.

McKortoff mirrored that concern, saying she’s afraid if they say no then Interior Health will think the board doesn’t support primary care and bypass the region for future projects.

“They made a mistake (by not being transparent) but we need to be bigger than that and say yes, we are in favour of primary care.”

But Knodel said the board was setting a “really bad” precedent here.

“I hear we have to agree to it now because we’re afraid?  Since when do we vote on being extorted by money? That is absolutely insane!” he nearly shouted.

Director Subrina Monteith said the board missed the important step of involving the ratepayers in this decision.

“We need to ask the ratepayers if this is something they want (to do).”

Director Bob Coyne said the big issue here is a lack of trust.

“All of sudden you want $1 million to pay for something you already opened without any consultation.”

He said the primary care centre benefits Penticton and surrounding communities right now.

“It’s a good idea for the folks over there, but unless we know there’s a plan for the rest of us, is it a really good deal?”

Pendergraft said the board needs to move on with a decision on where the next primary care centre should be located.

Director Ron Obirek said they need to “get past this bickering.” He noted that Penticton needs this centre right now to address people’s suffering during the pandemic.