---
title: "BC NDP promises law to set minimum nurse-to-patient ratios"
description: "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."
canonical_url: "https://voche.me/bc/provincial-2026/news/bc-ndp-nurse-patient-ratios-eby-october-2026"
last_updated: "2026-10-23T14:31:56.237Z"
---

BC NDP Leader [David Eby](/bc/provincial-2026/candidates/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](/bc/provincial-2026/candidates/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](/bc/provincial-2026).

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