VancouverMETRO VANCOUVER NEWS
B.C. NDP and Conservatives both promise an urgent care clinic in Steveston
Both parties say they would build an urgent and primary care centre in Steveston. Their competing announcements also highlighted Richmond’s existing clinics, a shortage of family doctors and emergency-room pressures ahead of the Oct. 24 provincial election.
In separate news releases, the BC NDP and the B.C. Conservatives both promised a new urgent and primary care centre (UPCC) in Steveston. The NDP pointed to the two UPCCs it has opened in Richmond, one in the city centre and the other in east Richmond. The B.C. Conservatives said 1.2 million British Columbians still do not have a primary care doctor.
B.C. Conservative Leader Lorne Doerkson said health care in the province is in “total crisis” under the NDP. He also accused David Eby of calling a “cynical and opportunistic” election for his own benefit and said that after nine years, “nothing is better” and British Columbians cannot trust Eby to keep his word.
UPCCs are intended to ease pressure on emergency rooms. People needing care for ailments such as minor injuries, infections and cuts can visit a centre rather than going to hospital. The centres are staffed by doctors and nurse practitioners; some also provide X-rays and other diagnostic services.
The B.C. Conservatives said emergency rooms had experienced almost 2,400 temporary closures between 2023 and 2025. In 2024-25 alone, about 140,000 patients went to an emergency room and left without being seen. The BC NDP said it would triple its efforts to recruit U.S. health-care workers to staff UPCCs and other health-care facilities.
The BC NDP called a snap provincial election for Oct. 24, 2026, one week after the municipal election on the previous Saturday. Richmond residents will elect four MLAs, for Richmond Centre, Richmond-Bridgeport, Richmond-Queensborough and Richmond-Steveston.