Re-envisioning Health Care to be theme for UBCM session at convention this month

Health Minister Adrian Dix
will be part of a discussion 
on BC health care at UBCM

The upcoming UBCM convention in Whistler this month has a lot of elements for delegates to explore as part of their time at the one week gathering of municipal and provincial officials. 

But one item is already looking like the "Don't Miss" event on the UBCM Calendar.

Yesterday convention organizers announced that a plenary policy session at this years event will feature Adrian Dix, BC's Minister of Health as part of the panel.

The theme of the discussion to take place Tuesday September 13th. was outlined by the UBCM as part of their heads up on the event.

The range of potential talking points one that should resonate for residents of the Prince Rupert area and across the northwest.

BC communities are experiencing unprecedented challenges with the health care system, which include the closure of emergency rooms, long wait times for surgery, difficulties in finding a family physician, problems with the recruitment and retention of health care professionals, and inconsistent access to ambulance service. 

The plenary policy session at UBCM’s 2022 convention will explore the impacts of these challenges on communities and consider ideas for transforming B.C.’s health care system.

For the wide ranging discussion, the Minister will be joined by Mayor Gaby Wickstrom (Town of Port McNeill), Mayor Merlin Blackwell (District of Clearwater, and Councillor Pete Fry (City of Vancouver, who is the chair of UBCM’s Health and Social Development Committee.  

Other panellists in this session include Troy Clifford, Provincial President, Ambulance Paramedics & Emergency Dispatchers of BC; George Abbott, President, Circle Square Solutions Inc.; Dr. Kerry Jang, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia; and Dr. Ray Markham, (OBC) Rural Family Physician.

The session runs from 1:30 to 3:15 PM, though it's not clear if there will be a period for audience participation.

But if so, those members of Prince Rupert City Council with an interest in health care issues, along with North Coast MLA Jennifer Rice could take advantage of the forum, if possible, to share their notes from the recent health care forum in Prince Rupert.

As we outlined on Tuesday, that Lester Centre discussion identified some of the many concerns for local residents specific to health care in the community. 

Relaying some of the themes from the Monday night forum might help the Minister and provincial health officials understand some of the frustrations and fears found in rural and remote communities such as Prince Rupert.

While just one item on a full week of political discussion between Municipal and provincial officials, the current state of Health Care in the province would seem to make the September 13th discussion the one area where delegates should be filling the Whistler auditorium to its fullest.

Hopefully, some of the Prince Rupert attendees will take notes and report back.

More notes on the 2022 UBCM convention can be explored from our archive page.