Minister gives ‘non-answer’ to city of Fort St. John on long-term care expansion delay

The Ministry of Infrastructure delayed the expansion of the Peace Villa long-term care facility in Fort St. John in February.

The decision was part of the province’s budget tabled on Feb. 17, which includes tax increases, delays for multiple health-care projects, and a record deficit of $13.3 billion.

In March, Fort St. John city council sent a letter to the province asking for clear next steps and additional support for seniors.

Infrastructure Minister Bowinn Ma responded with a letter but did not provide a timeline for the project to resume.

Jordan Kealy, the MLA for Peace River North, says Ma’s response has fallen short of expectations.

“That letter is pretty much the same rhetoric that we hear in question period, which is a non-answer,” Kealy said, adding Ma is not providing any viable solutions.

Kealy says the health-care system is crumbling and ministries are only providing excuses.

B.C. Minister of Infrastructure Bowinn Ma pauses while speaking during the official opening of a new childcare facility operated by the YMCA, in North Vancouver, B.C., on Thursday, July 3, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck B.C. Minister of Infrastructure Bowinn Ma pauses while speaking during the official opening of a new childcare facility operated by the YMCA, in North Vancouver, B.C., on Thursday, July 3, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

In her response, Ma says the province recognizes the importance of seniors accessing the support they need, pointing to other long-term care projects completed elsewhere in B.C.

“Since 2017, the province has completed 16 long-term care projects and has six more projects underway, with much more to do,” she said.

The Fort St. John long-term care project was already approved and supported through a funding partnership involving the province, Northern Health and the Peace River Regional District. It is one of seven projects being delayed across B.C.

Ma says the provincial government must make careful choices as it is facing fiscal pressure. She adds construction costs are rising, with similar projects coming in at around $1.8 million per bed.

“It is for necessary for a different approach to be taken on the delivery of long-term care beds to ensure we can deliver these projects at the scale and volume that they are needed,” Ma said.

Kealy says that three years ago, third-party contractors were building similar projects at around $1 million per bed.

Ma says the province is working to identify cost-efficient strategies, adding that this is why the timeline for the Peace Villa expansion was adjusted.