Columbia River–Revelstoke MLA Scott McInnis says residents will see improved access to surgical care under a new provincial agreement allowing eligible British Columbians to receive designated surgeries in Alberta beginning in March.

The initiative is designed to reduce wait times and better reflect the unique geography of East Kootenay communities, many of which are significantly closer to Alberta medical centres than to facilities elsewhere in British Columbia.

McInnis said he is happy to see this work finally take a positive step forward, and he thanks the strong team of local officials who worked collaboratively with the province to get this done.

“There are so many people who drove the bus to achieve this result. I simply assisted in parking it safely,” said McInnis.

For years, residents in the region have faced substantial travel times to reach surgical sites in the B.C. Interior. This agreement acknowledges those realities and aims to ensure patients receive timely and appropriate care without unnecessary delays.

The new arrangement will support access to high-demand surgeries, particularly in areas where wait times have been challenging, allowing patients in rural and remote parts of the province to receive care more efficiently. This step aligns with ongoing efforts to ensure health services are delivered in a way that reflects community needs and regional realities.

While expanded access to surgical care marks important progress for families in Columbia River–Revelstoke and the wider East Kootenay, significant gaps remain. The region continues to lack neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) services, forcing families in crisis to travel long distances for urgent care.

Similarly, oncology services remain limited, with many cancer patients still required to relocate or travel repeatedly for treatment.

“We have a lot more work to do to ensure the progress we’ve seen with surgeries continues to include many more vital supports in Alberta,” said McInnis. “We’re certainly not done here.”

Strengthening surgical access through this Alberta partnership is a substantial step forward, but continued investment is necessary to ensure that residents of Columbia River–Revelstoke receive equitable access to the full range of healthcare services they deserve.

“For too long, rural residents in the East Kootenay have not been on a level-playing field with other regions when it comes to accessing critical health services. Our healthcare professionals work extremely hard to keep us healthy, but the province needs to continue giving them the tools they need,” McInnis concluded.

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