The city of Fort St. John is asking the province for clarity after Finance Minister Brenda Bailey announced in February that the construction of the expansion to the Peace Villa care home would be delayed.
The decision was part of the province’s budget tabled on February 17, which includes tax increases, delays for multiple health-care projects, and a record deficit of $13.3 billion.
In a letter sent to the province, the city says the expansion is critical to address existing pressure and anticipated demand for long-term care.
“The postponement of this project has generated significant concern among seniors, families, and caregivers who rely on the availability of appropriate care close to home,” the letter reads.
The project was already approved and supported through a funding partnership involving the province, Northern Health, and the Peace River Regional District.
Council members say they have heard directly from residents who are concerned about what the delay means for their ability to age safely and with dignity in their home community.
“At both the local and regional levels, this expansion was widely understood to be a committed project intended to respond to well-documented and longstanding capacity challenges,” the letter says.
According to the letter, Peace Villa is currently operating at full capacity, with more than 70 individuals, including seniors currently in hospital waiting for placement.
The city also refers to a report from the province, From Shortfall to Crisis, pointing to a broader systemic issue and saying the challenges faced in fort St. John are not isolated or unexpected.
The city is asking the province to clarify the next steps and put measures in place to help address capacity challenges.
“When previously approved projects are postponed without clear timelines or next steps, it becomes increasingly difficult for communities to plan responsibly and maintain trust in long-term care commitments,” the city says.
The expansion would bring 84 new single beds and a 30-space adult day program. Construction had been scheduled for the spring of 2027, and the facility was expected to be open by the end of 2030.
The expansion is one of seven similar projects being delayed across BC.