B.C.’s health minister says planning is underway for an enhanced cancer care centre in Kamloops – an election promise of the NDP government.
Speaking on the NL Morning News, Adrian Dix says Kamloops is part of the NDP’s ten year cancer plan, though Premier John Horgan promised a new cancer care centre in the city within four years.
“We’re going to lay that plan out for the people of B.C. We’ve made a commitment and you saw some of the details on the campaign and now people at the BC Cancer Agency are putting together the plan and putting it in place,” he said. “What we committed to in the election campaign is a ten year cancer plan and I think that makes a lot of sense.”
Five Kamloops-area Liberal MLAs – Todd Stone, Peter Milobar, Greg Kyllo, Jackie Tegart, and Lorne Doerkson – have written a letter to Minister Dix and Premier Horgan hoping to push the government to follow through on its promise.
“The need for enhanced cancer care in Kamloops and the surrounding region has never been greater,” said the letter. “We look forward to not only answers to the questions [in the letter], but also to working collaboratively with all stakeholders to get this project built and operational within the four-year timeframe that you have promised.”
On the campaign trail last fall, the BC Liberals also promised enhanced cancer care in Kamloops and Mayor Ken Christian says he was pleased by the dual announcements.
“What we want to see is results. Both major parties are committing to that and that is something that we would hold them true to if they form government,” he told NL News last October.
“It would appear from the announcements that irrespective of who wins the election, that is something that is going to be coming our way.”
Dix says there will be elements of the NDP’s cancer care plan released every year, noting that while the immediate focus has been on COVID-19, that planning work has been taking place behind the scenes.
“I say without rancour, the Liberal Party was in office for a long time in this province and they did not proceed with that but I think things have changed,” Dix added.
“I think cancer is important and I’m glad they are supporting this. We are going to work together to see that cancer services are improved in Kamloops.”