BC NDP promises tuition discounts and a new training program for rural health workers
David Eby announced a plan on October 9 to address health-care staffing in rural BC, including tuition discounts, loan forgiveness, and a new training path for international medical graduates.
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BC NDP leader David Eby announced a set of health-care promises on October 9 aimed at getting more doctors and nurses into rural communities and cutting wait times across the province. CityNews Vancouver reported the announcements from a campaign stop in Surrey, at the site of a new medical school.
A new path for international medical graduates
Eby said an NDP government would create a "bridging to practice" training program for qualified international medical graduates already living in BC. Many of these people cannot practice family medicine because there are not enough residency spots available, CityNews Vancouver reported. Eby said the program would be the first of its kind in Canada and he hopes other provinces copy it.
Support for health workers who move to rural BC
The NDP plan would offer discounted tuition, loan forgiveness, and help with moving expenses for health-care workers willing to go to underserved rural areas of the province, CityNews Vancouver reported. Eby also said an NDP government would create incentives for doctors to offer same-day appointments and evening and weekend care.
More training seats and clinics
Eby said the NDP would add 1,000 training seats for nurses, nurse practitioners, allied health workers, and care aides, according to CityNews Vancouver. The plan also includes 20 new primary care clinics across BC.
What this means for you
If you are a health-care worker or student considering working in rural BC, or if you are an international medical graduate living in BC who cannot practice, these are promises that could affect your career options. The NDP would need to win the October 24 election for any of these to take effect. You can check your voting options and find your voting place at Elections BC. Advance voting runs October 16 to 21.
Questions this story answers
What did David Eby announce on October 9 about health care?
CityNews Vancouver reported that BC NDP leader David Eby announced a health-care platform during a campaign stop in Surrey. It includes a new training program for international medical graduates already living in BC, tuition discounts and loan forgiveness for health-care workers who move to rural areas, 1,000 new training seats for nurses and allied health workers, and 20 new primary care clinics across the province. Eby said the international graduate training program would be the first of its kind in Canada.
What is the 'bridging to practice' program Eby announced?
According to CityNews Vancouver, the program Eby described would give qualified international medical graduates who are already living in BC a path to practice family medicine. Right now, many of these graduates cannot practice because there are not enough residency spots available. The program would train them to fill that gap. Eby said he hopes other provinces copy the model if the NDP is re-elected on October 24.
Which health-care workers could receive tuition discounts under this plan?
CityNews Vancouver reports that the BC NDP plan would offer discounted tuition, loan forgiveness, and help with moving expenses for health-care workers who are willing to move to underserved rural communities in BC. The report does not specify which professions would qualify or the amount of the discount. These are campaign promises and would require the NDP to win the October 24 election to take effect.
How many new training seats does the NDP plan to add?
CityNews Vancouver reports that Eby said an NDP government would add 1,000 training seats for nurses, nurse practitioners, allied health workers, and care aides. This figure comes from Eby's announcement on October 9. It is an election promise and has not yet been budgeted or legislated.
How many new primary care clinics did Eby promise?
CityNews Vancouver reports that Eby said the NDP would build 20 additional primary care clinics in BC. The announcement did not specify where these clinics would be located. This is an election promise that would need to be funded and built if the NDP wins on October 24.
What did Eby say about the Conservative candidate who was removed on October 8?
CityNews Vancouver reports that Eby called the removal of Victoria-Beacon Hill candidate Joachim Agou from the Conservative slate 'a continuation of embarrassing conduct by Conservative candidates.' He said the Conservatives 'tried to sneak this candidate past British Columbians but they got caught.' Conservative leader Lorne Doerkson said on October 8 that the posts were inexcusable.
Where can I find voting places and advance voting dates for the October 24 provincial election?
Elections BC runs the official list of voting places and advance voting dates for the October 24, 2026 provincial election. Advance voting runs from October 16 to October 21. You can find your voting place and register at the Elections BC website. This site links to Elections BC from its party and candidate pages.
Where can I read about the other parties' health-care plans?
This site publishes summaries of platform announcements as they are reported. The BC NDP's seniors health care plan was covered in a separate article on October 7, and the BC Greens published a health-centre funding pledge also on October 7. The Conservative Party published an emergency room plan on October 5. You can read those articles in the news section at /bc/provincial-2026/news.
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