SOUND OFF: Strengthening primary care access for a growing British Columbia

Apr 8, 2026 | 10:30 AM

LAST WEEK, PREMIER DAVID EBY announced that we’ve connected over 600,000 people to a family doctor or nurse practitioner since 2023, with more than 4,000 people being matched every single week.

Thanks to this work, B.C. now has one of the strongest physician communities in the country, with more family doctors practicing here than ever before. This progress is making a real difference for families, seniors, and communities across the province.

British Columbia is a great place to live and work, and it’s no wonder that people want to locate to our part of the world. As our province grows and more people choose to call B.C. home, we know we have to make sure our public services keep pace, so everyone can thrive. That’s why our government is focused on building an even stronger and more reliable public health-care system that every British Columbian can count on.

In my role as Parliamentary Secretary for Primary Care Access, I hear every day from people across the province about how essential it is to have a family doctor or nurse practitioner they can rely on. Primary care is where people get answers early, manage ongoing health needs, and stay healthier over time. It is the front door to our health care system.

At the same time, we are continuing to recruit health care workers to meet today’s needs. As of February 2026, more than 500 doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, and allied health professionals from the United States have accepted jobs within B.C.’s public health-care system. These professionals are choosing B.C. because of our strong public healthcare system and our commitment to evidence-based medicine.

SOUND OFF

SOUND OFF: Strengthening primary care access for a growing British Columbia

1h ago

Question of the Week

After next Monday's by-elections, do you believe the federal Liberals will have a majority government?

Apr 06, 2026

1000 Ways To Heal

1000 WAYS TO HEAL: The Straw, the Turtle and Good Intentions

Apr 06, 2026

Premier David Eby has highlighted why this momentum matters, saying, “We need to keep going – recruiting and training more doctors, nurses, and healthcare workers of all kinds.” That commitment is guiding our work as we strengthen the system not just for today, but for the decades ahead.

That’s why we’re investing in the future by training more doctors here at home. This fall, the new Simon Fraser University medical school in Surrey will welcome its first class of 48 students. This is an exciting step forward that will help ensure more British Columbians can access care close to home for years to come.

If you or someone you know is looking for a family doctor or nurse practitioner, I encourage you to register with the Health Connect Registry. By continuing this important work, we’re helping ensure that every person in British Columbia can count on the care they need and a health‑care system that grows with our communities.

by Stephanie Higginson, Parliamentary Secretary for Primary Care Access

Click here to report an error or typo in this article

SOUND OFF: Strengthening primary care access for a growing British Columbia

Our Community