Our health care system is broken, and it’s time to fix it. I’m hearing this everywhere I go in North Coast and Haida Gwaii. Families are suffering, people are scared, and they feel let down by the government. As your Conservative candidate, I’m not just listening — I’m ready to act.
Health care isn’t just a headline; it’s personal. It affects each and every one of us. You shouldn’t have to wait weeks or even months to see a doctor. You shouldn’t be worried about whether the emergency room will be open when you need it. And you certainly shouldn’t feel abandoned when it comes to addiction and mental health support.
I know how important health care is to our communities. That’s why I’m committed to making real changes. Not the kind of half-hearted promises we’ve been hearing for years from David Eby and his NDP MLAs, but real solutions that will make a difference in your life.
British Columbia spends a huge amount on health care—more than most countries like ours—but what do we get for it? Long wait times, hospital closures, and fewer doctors and nurses to care for us. It just doesn’t make sense.
We need more nurses, more doctors, and better access to the care you deserve. And we need a plan that puts patients first. That’s why I support John Rustad’s Patients First plan. It’s a common-sense approach that fixes the real problems in our health-care system. This plan makes sure that all British Columbians get the care they need through both public and non-governmental health care facilities. You shouldn’t have to wait in line because of government red tape. We’re going to make sure you get the help you need when you need it.
Our nurses and doctors are doing everything they can, but they’re burned out. They’ve been carrying the weight of this broken system for far too long. As your MLA, I will push for changes that directly benefit our health-care workers.
One key area is to ensure nurse-to-patient ratios are supportive of positive and effective health care environments. A pilot project in Smithers reduced vacancy rates from 60 per cent to 20 per cent in six months. This project, apart from supporting nurses and their safety, reduced the reliance on outside agencies, lowering the overall cost burden to the system.
I’ll also fight to provide incentives to keep health care workers in our region. Nurses and doctors are leaving small communities because they feel overworked and undervalued. We need to show them that we appreciate their dedication and make their work environments better so they’ll stay and help us build a healthier B.C.
There’s another crisis we can’t ignore: the overdose epidemic. In every part of the North Coast and Haida Gwaii, I’ve heard stories about how dangerous drugs are destroying lives. I’ve met families who’ve lost loved ones, and it breaks my heart. This has to stop.
The NDP’s approach to drugs isn’t working. Their policy of giving out free drugs has only made things worse. It’s not the answer. What people need is real help — treatment, prevention, detox programs, and strong mental health support.
We need to stop giving out free drugs and start giving real support to those struggling with addiction. I’m committed to working with local leaders, mental health experts, and addiction services to find solutions that actually work for our communities.
I believe that the people on the frontlines—nurses, doctors, teachers, social workers, elders, and Indigenous leaders—know better than anyone what needs to be done. That’s why I’m calling for a local health care task force. This group will bring together the people who are actually working in our communities to come up with real solutions for our health care system.
We’ll tackle the big issues head-on: recruitment and retention of health care workers, better addiction support, and making sure people have access to the care they need. Your voice matters, and this task force will make sure that the needs of North Coast and Haida Gwaii are heard loud and clear.
This isn’t just a political issue. It’s about our families and our future. If we keep doing the same thing over and over, nothing will change. The current government’s plan has failed, and people are suffering because of it.
As your MLA, I will fight for the changes we need in health care and community safety. I’m not afraid to demand real solutions because I know how important this is to you, to me, and to our future.
We need a leader who understands our challenges and who’s willing to make the tough decisions to improve health care. Let’s end the long wait times, stop the ER closures, and fix the overdose crisis. Let’s create a health care system that works for all of us.
I’m asking for you to lend me your vote so we can build a better, healthier future for North Coast and Haida Gwaii. Nothing changes if nothing changes.
On Oct. 19, please vote for me, Chris Sankey. Together we are stronger.
Chris Sankey is the BC Conservative candidate running in the Oct. 19 provincial election for North Coast-Haida Gwaii.