‘Head scratching’: MLA Milobar questions move to contract cancer service to USA

KAMLOOPS — On Monday (May 15), Health Minister Adrian Dix announced a new initiative to provide cancer care to B.C. residents and reduce wait times. Starting May 29, BC Cancer is temporarily offering eligible patients radiation treatment at one of two clinics in Bellingham, Washington. The program is set to run for two years.

The minister stated over the next two years, approximately 4,800 patients will benefit from this temporary program, representing approximately 2,400 patients per year.

After listening to the announcement Monday afternoon (May 15), Kamloops-North Thompson MLA Peter Milobar was left wondering how the province got to this point.

“In premier’s estimates it was interesting, Premier (David) Eby talking about Dr. Penny Ballem’s role as his advisor, saying she is in charge essentially of the cancer plan and the rollout. Is that why there is such secrecy, because the premier’s office is demanding to be the one in charge politically of what should not be political announcements? It should be health care celebrated and advanced as quickly as possible,” said Milobar. “Maybe the health minister is cut out of the loop, I don’t know. But it really adds to the confusion and the problem to why it’s problematic when a premier has advisors on top of a minister responsible.”