The British Columbia government has confirmed the cancellation of several construction contracts for long-term care homes and the second phase of the Burnaby Hospital redevelopment, a decision that has drawn sharp criticism from local leaders and health advocates.
Infrastructure Minister Bowinn Ma announced on Thursday that budget pressures, driven by a projected record deficit of $13.3 billion, forced the province to make difficult choices. Seven long-term care homes in Delta, Abbotsford, Chilliwack, Kelowna, Fort St. John, and Squamish, along with the Burnaby Hospital Phase 2 project, were found to be significantly over budget.
“There is more work for our government to do with health authorities to get costs down and under budget so that we can deliver them sustainably for communities,” Ma stated. She noted that while the projects remain part of the capital plan, contracts entered into by health authorities have been cancelled due to revised timelines.
Burnaby Mayor Expresses Devastation
Burnaby Mayor Mike Hurley expressed shock and dismay, saying the province has abandoned his city. “I’m absolutely devastated and frankly horrified by this decision. In 2018, the government said this was the most important health project in the province. Now they have turned their back on Burnaby residents,” Hurley said.
Hurley noted that Phase 1 of the redevelopment, completed earlier, added only 12 new beds to a hospital originally built in the 1950s. Phase 2 was slated to include a 160-bed acute care tower, a B.C. Cancer treatment centre, and a new medical imaging department.
Foundation and Advocates React
Kristy James, CEO of the Burnaby Hospital Foundation, revealed that donors had pledged $55 million for both phases, with $25 million earmarked for Phase 2, which had a budget of $1.8 billion. She disputed Ma’s earlier claims that the project was hundreds of millions over budget.
The provincial seniors advocate and other mayors have also protested the cancellations, arguing that needed health-care resources will not be built despite growing demand. Fraser Health executives informed Burnaby Hospital staff that the contract with the Alliance construction group had been terminated, with further details to follow.
The government maintains that the projects will eventually be completed once costs are brought under control, but critics worry about the impact on communities already facing health-care shortages.
