B.C. NDP Leader David Eby is emphasizing his party’s achievements in healthcare as he seeks re-election in British Columbia. Eby highlighted the milestone of connecting one million residents to a family doctor during a recent campaign event. Addressing the pressing issue of access to healthcare, Eby stressed the importance of ensuring families can readily access medical professionals.
The NDP’s 2024 election platform included a commitment to resolve the shortage of family doctors in British Columbia by the end of 2025. Recent data from April 2026 disclosed that approximately 1,259,425 individuals in the province remain without a doctor. The attachment rate to primary care providers has improved to 77.8% from 74.2% in June 2024, reflecting progress in addressing the issue.
The province’s efforts have seen positive changes in family practices, with investments contributing to enhanced viability and sustainability in community healthcare models. Despite these advancements, challenges persist in various regions, particularly in the north and the Interior, where population growth and retirements of physicians have posed obstacles to progress.
Noteworthy initiatives by the NDP government include the introduction of a new payment model and facilitating the entry of internationally trained physicians into the healthcare system. The launch of the Health Connect Registry, an online platform connecting patients with care providers, has also been instrumental in improving access to healthcare services.
While positive strides have been made, the recruitment process for physicians can be lengthy, creating a delay between policy implementation and tangible outcomes. The ministry reported that B.C. has the highest number of doctors per capita in Canada, with over 225,000 individuals newly attached to primary care providers in 2025, marking a significant increase.
Looking ahead, Eby has pledged to triple recruitment efforts for health workers from the U.S. as part of his election campaign promises. Stakeholders in the healthcare sector are hopeful that any incoming government will prioritize ensuring universal access to primary care services for all residents. The focus remains on continued collaboration with the government to further advance healthcare accessibility without regression.