BC NDP promises law to set minimum nurse-to-patient ratios
David Eby pledged on Thursday to pass legislation locking in minimum nurse-to-patient ratios, funded by higher income taxes on the top 3.88 per cent of earners.
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BC NDP Leader David Eby pledged on Thursday to pass legislation locking in minimum nurse-to-patient ratios across British Columbia's hospitals if he is re-elected premier on Saturday.
Eby made the announcement in front of Vancouver General Hospital, flanked by nurses holding campaign signs, the Chilliwack Progress reported. The current standard being put in place across the province is one nurse to every four patients. Eby said the health ministry has raised ratios for most areas of care but said emergency rooms still need improvement.
"We're going to ensure that we're putting the minimum nurse-to-patient ratios into legislation, into the law, to make sure that the health authorities know, that the hospital managers know, that everybody knows that this is where the government is going," Eby said, according to the Progress.
The BC NDP says it would pay for more nurses by raising income taxes on the wealthiest 3.88 per cent of British Columbians. The party also said it would create 1,000 new training spaces for nurses, nurse practitioners, care aides, and other health-care workers.
The BC Nurses Union praised the commitment and called on other parties to make the same pledge. "Safe patient care should not be a partisan issue, and minimum nurse-to-patient ratios shouldn't be either," said union President Adriane Gear in a news release on Thursday. Gear said ratios help prevent patient harm and ensure people receive care when they need it.
The Progress also reported on Conservative Leader Lorne Doerkson's health-care commitments, made the same day in Surrey. Doerkson said his party would finish the hospital project underway in Cloverdale, which was started under the NDP government, and build a new women's and children's hospital in Surrey. "Families shouldn't have to travel an hour or more to attend Vancouver for care," Doerkson said.
The Conservatives also reiterated their plan to create a $50 million fund to help keep emergency rooms open, according to the article.
Thursday was the final day of campaigning before voting day on Saturday, October 24. Advance voting ended on October 21. If you have not yet voted, you can find your polling station and hours through Elections BC at /bc/provincial-2026.
Questions this story answers
What did David Eby promise about nurse staffing?
Standing in front of Vancouver General Hospital on Thursday, October 22, BC NDP Leader David Eby promised to pass legislation setting minimum nurse-to-patient ratios if he is re-elected premier. Eby said the health ministry has already increased ratios for most types of care, with the current standard being one nurse to every four patients, but said emergency rooms need more improvement. You can read more about the BC NDP's platform at the party page on this site: /bc/provincial-2026/parties/bc-ndp.
How does the NDP plan to pay for more nurses?
The Chilliwack Progress reported that the BC NDP plans to raise income taxes on the wealthiest 3.88 per cent of British Columbians to fund the investment. Eby also said the NDP would create 1,000 new training spaces for nurses, nurse practitioners, care aides, and other health-care workers. The party has not published a line-by-line cost breakdown for this specific pledge.
What did the BC Nurses Union say about the pledge?
BC Nurses Union President Adriane Gear praised the commitment and called on other parties to follow suit. 'Safe patient care should not be a partisan issue, and minimum nurse-to-patient ratios shouldn't be either,' Gear said in a news release on Thursday. The union has pushed for legislated ratios for some time. Gear said ratios help prevent patient harm and ensure people receive care when they need it.
What did Conservative Leader Lorne Doerkson say about health care?
The Chilliwack Progress reported that Conservative Leader Lorne Doerkson made his own health-care commitments on Thursday in Surrey. His promises include finishing the Cloverdale hospital project that was started under the NDP and building a new women's and children's hospital in Surrey. 'Families shouldn't have to travel an hour or more to attend Vancouver for care,' Doerkson said. You can see Doerkson's candidate page at /bc/provincial-2026/candidates/lorne-doerkson.
What is a nurse-to-patient ratio and why does it matter?
A nurse-to-patient ratio sets the maximum number of patients one nurse is responsible for at any time. The BC NDP says the current standard being put in place across the province is one nurse to every four patients. Eby said emergency rooms have not yet reached that standard. The BC Nurses Union says legislating these ratios helps prevent harm to patients and means nurses cannot be stretched too thin by hospital managers.
When was this pledge made and when does voting happen?
Eby made this pledge on Thursday, October 22, 2026, the day before voting day. The provincial election is on Saturday, October 24, 2026. Advance voting ran from October 16 to 21. If you have not yet voted, you can vote at your assigned polling station on Saturday. Elections BC has the full list of where to vote: /bc/provincial-2026.
Where can I see all the parties' health-care promises?
The BC NDP, BC Conservatives, and BC Greens have all released health-care platform commitments during this campaign. This site has reported on the NDP's health-care guarantee, the NDP's plan on rural health workers, the Greens' community health centres plan, and the Greens' mental health reforms. You can browse all election coverage at /bc/provincial-2026/news. For the parties' own pages, visit the party section of this site.
What is the difference between a party promise and a law?
A campaign promise is a commitment a party makes during an election. It becomes law only if the party wins and then passes legislation through the legislature. Eby's pledge on Thursday was a campaign promise. The Chilliwack Progress reported it as a new commitment made the day before voting day. No legislation has been passed yet. Whether this becomes law depends on the October 24 result.
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