One in five British Columbians are without a family doctor while others rely on the emergency department for primary care needs. Give us your best ideas to improve access to primary health care.
Cowichan-Malahat-Langford
Alistair MacGregor, NDP
Although healthcare is primarily under provincial jurisdiction, we need strong federal leadership to improve access to primary healthcare.
The NDP believes in strengthening the Canada Health Act to stop privatization and crack down on cash-for care schemes. We want to ensure all Canadians can access a family doctor by 2030 by linking federal healthcare funding to provincial plans to provide access to primary healthcare.
The NDP believes in creating residencies for qualified, internationally trained doctors already living in Canada and implement a pan-Canadian licensure to help medical professionals practice where they are needed across the country.
Kathleen Code, Green Party
Best ideas include attracting American doctors and medical professionals who no longer wish to work south of the border. Also, through a free education program, the Greens would train and educate an ongoing stream of medical professionals while caring for those individuals themselves through appropriate staffing levels and a proper work/life balance. We will work with communities to provide incentives to welcome them to rural and remote locations and ensure that culturally appropriate care is in place for Indigenous peoples.
North Island-Powell River
Tanille Johnston, NDP
Red tape prevents quick and efficient employment for doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners and other health care providers coming to work in Canada. Our lack of focus in this area of enabling these providers is hurting patients.
With the NDP I want to fix this by:
· Equitably Investing in team-based care for First Nations communities.
· Scrapping provincial credential barriers so internationally trained professionals can practice faster.
· Empowering nurse practitioners and nurses to use their full skills—like diagnosing, prescribing, and managing chronic conditions—especially in rural areas through providing them supports that align with those accessible to their physician counter parts.
· Expanding midwifery and primary care teams to reduce ER overcrowding and ensure timely care.
Jessica Wegg, Green Party
Greens will invest in our healthcare system and provide stable, long-term funding to provinces and territories. Greens will invest in healthcare worker training and compensation and will ensure improved working conditions. We will streamline credential recognition for internationally trained professionals and we will place a strong focus on underserved and rural areas, with stable funding for Indigenous-led health services, mobile health clinics, and expanded home care, community care, and telemedicine. Our goal is simple: a well-funded universal health care system that puts people first, not profits.
Jennifer Lash, Liberal
Equal access to quality healthcare is a fundamental part of Canada’s identity. While healthcare falls under provincial jurisdiction, we must work closely with the B.C. government to rebuild and modernize our healthcare system. Mark Carney will maintain robust health transfers and protect vital programs like dental care, pharmacare, and mental health support. We’ll invest in technologies that free up time for frontline workers and ensure every Canadian has access to a family doctor. A healthy economy supports strong healthcare, and strong healthcare supports a healthy economy.
Courtenay-Alberni
Chris Markevich, Green Party
The Green Party has a plan to fundamentally transform healthcare delivery and funding in Canada. Building on our upcoming platform, we will provide stable, long-term funding to provinces and territories. We will train and hire more health care workers to improve access and cut wait times, as well as expand home care and community care. We will invest in public health care instead of allowing for-profit corporations to deliver more services. We’ll also work to expand medicare coverage, to make medicines free for everyone through universal pharmacare. We’ll provide dental care for more Canadians who can’t afford it, and cover mental health care so everyone can get the help they need.
Brian Cameron, Liberal
In 2023 the Liberal Government budget provided for an additional $198.3 billion over 10 years to focus on reducing backlogs, expanding access to family health services, and ensuring high quality and timely healthcare for all Canadians. That plan included $2 billion for an Indigenous Health Equity Fund that can benefit our Indigenous communities directly. If elected as your MP I will ensure part of that funding is used locally on First Nation territories within our Riding
Gord Johns, NDP
First, restore Liberal and Conservative cuts to provincial and First Nations health.
Second, negotiate Incentives to physicians and other health care professionals to practice in First Nations communities.
Third, increase federal funding for science-based curriculum and incentives for First Nations young people to pursue careers in healthcare.
Fourth, reform patient transportation funding guidelines to allow greater flexibility for family members to accompany patients traveling for care away from their home communities.
Fifth, increase support for training for health care professionals in culturally safe healthcare practices based on the teachings of Elders and Indigenous educators.
Kris McNichol, Conservative
We’ll partner with provinces to fund more doctors, nurses, and incentives for rural health care. We’ll streamline foreign credential recognition so qualified professionals can start working—fast. Better access starts with common-sense solutions and real results.