BC NDP promises eighth urgent care centre for Greater Victoria
The party says a re-elected government would open a new urgent and primary care centre in the Capital Regional District, giving residents faster access for injuries and illnesses that are not emergencies.
Reported. A news outlet found this. voche.me names the outlet and links its report. Read the original report on saanichnews.com.
The BC NDP said on October 16 that a re-elected government would open a new urgent and primary care centre in the Capital Regional District. Saanich News reported the announcement, citing an NDP news release.
The new clinic would be the eighth urgent and primary care centre in Greater Victoria, the party said. These facilities offer same-day care for conditions that do not require a hospital emergency room, including minor injuries, infections, sprains and cuts.
"A re-elected BC NDP government will open a new urgent and primary care centre in the Capital Regional District, giving more people access to timely care for illnesses and injuries close to home while helping ease pressure on hospital emergency departments," the party said in the release.
Diana Gibson, the BC NDP candidate for Oak Bay-Gordon Head, said in the same release that the clinic would mean residents can get care when they need it. "Urgent and primary care centres provide same-day care for people who can't wait days for a family doctor appointment, but don't need an emergency department," she said.
The NDP did not name a specific location for the proposed new clinic or give a date for when it would open.
Health care as an election issue
The announcement came as polling placed health care at the top of voter concerns in this campaign. Saanich News cited a Leger360 poll, commissioned by Doctors of BC, BC Family Doctors and Consultant Specialists of BC, which found that 28 per cent of British Columbians identified health care as either the most important or second-most important issue facing the province. That figure put health care ahead of the economy and housing affordability in the poll.
Birinder Narang, president of BC Family Doctors, said in a separate release cited by Saanich News that the next government needs to support sustainable family medicine practices and reduce the amount of paperwork family doctors must complete.
What this means for voters
Residents across Greater Victoria who have tried to find same-day care for injuries or illnesses can track where each party stands on health care access. Voting day is Saturday, October 24. Advance voting runs through October 21.
Questions this story answers
What did the BC NDP promise for health care in Greater Victoria?
Saanich News reported that the BC NDP said on October 16 that a re-elected government would open a new urgent and primary care centre in the Capital Regional District. The party said the new clinic would be the eighth such facility in Greater Victoria. These centres offer same-day care for people with injuries and illnesses that need prompt attention but do not require an emergency department.
What type of care would the new clinic offer?
According to the BC NDP's October 16 news release, as reported by Saanich News, the clinic would treat conditions including minor injuries, infections, sprains, cuts and other common illnesses that need timely attention. The party describes these centres as serving people who cannot wait days for a family doctor appointment but do not need an emergency room.
Who is the BC NDP candidate who commented on this announcement?
Diana Gibson is the BC NDP candidate for Oak Bay-Gordon Head. She said in the party's October 16 news release that a new urgent and primary care centre 'would mean more people can get the care they need when they need it.' You can read her profile at /bc/provincial-2026/candidates/diana-gibson.
How many urgent and primary care centres does Greater Victoria currently have?
Saanich News reported that Greater Victoria currently has seven urgent and primary care centres. The NDP says a new one would be the eighth. The party did not name a specific location in the October 16 announcement.
Is health care a top issue for BC voters in this election?
Saanich News cited polling from Leger360, commissioned by Doctors of BC, BC Family Doctors and Consultant Specialists of BC, which found that 28 per cent of British Columbians identified health care as either the most important or second-most important issue facing the province. That placed it ahead of the economy and housing affordability in the poll.
What did BC Family Doctors say about the election and health care?
Birinder Narang, president of BC Family Doctors, said in a separate news release cited by Saanich News that the next government needs to build on recent progress by supporting sustainable family medicine practices. He said reducing the amount of paperwork doctors must complete and giving them the right tools are key to a healthy future for the health system.
When is voting day for the BC provincial election?
The main voting day for the 2026 BC provincial election is Saturday, October 24. Advance voting runs from October 16 to October 21. You can register to vote and find your voting place through Elections BC. More information about the election, including candidate profiles for every district, is at /bc/provincial-2026/news.
What party is making this promise and where can I learn more about its platform?
This is a promise from the BC NDP, the party currently in government in British Columbia. The BC NDP is one of the main parties in the 2026 provincial election. You can read about its platform commitments, its candidates in every district, and its record in government at /bc/provincial-2026/parties/bc-ndp.
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