CHILLIWACK– A re-elected BC NDP government will deliver an MRI machine to Chilliwack General Hospital, helping to address the community’s unmet need for faster access to vital diagnostic imaging closer to home.

“People in Chilliwack deserve access to care in their own community and no one should have to travel elsewhere to get the care they need. Improving local healthcare is a collaborative effort requiring strong local partnerships and a solid voice advocating at the government table. I’m happy to be part of the BC NDP team that will help deliver this important service to our community,” said Kelli Paddon, BC NDP candidate for Chilliwack-Cultus Lake.

A new MRI in Chilliwack means improved outcomes for patients experiencing strokes, trauma, and other urgent medical conditions. The BC NDP has a fully costed plan to deliver a new MRI for Chilliwack which, paired with the local community’s already-raised funds, more than meets the financial requirements of this project.

This announcement builds on David Eby’s plan to expand diagnostic capacity across the province with eight new MRI machines and 10 CT scanners, helping people in rural, remote and growing communities access critical scans sooner.

Since first elected, the BC NDP has added over 1,800 specialists, along with 21 MRI units and 15 CT scanners across the province. Completed MRI exams are up 108%, and CT exams are up 61%. B.C. hospitals completed a record 382,000 surgeries last year.

The conservative parties' plan to aggressively cut the deficit, coupled with unfunded spending promises, would mean deep cuts to healthcare. In contrast, the BC NDP are committed to investing in communities across the province, including historically overlooked rural communities, such as Chilliwack.

Quotes

Jason Lum, Mayor-Elect of Chilliwack: “Chilliwack is one of B.C.’s fastest-growing communities, and our healthcare infrastructure needs to keep pace. Residents deserve timely access to MRI services close to home. As Mayor, I’m committed to working with Fraser Health and the Province to get shovels in the ground within the next 12 months and turn this long-awaited investment into reality.”

Ken Popove, Mayor of Chilliwack: “An MRI at Chilliwack General Hospital has been a priority for our community for many years. This investment will make a real difference for patients and families, improving access to essential diagnostic services closer to home. It’s an important step forward for healthcare in Chilliwack and the entire eastern Fraser Valley.”

Leanna Kemp, Executive Director, Fraser Valley Healthcare Foundation: "I was chair of the Chilliwack Hospital Foundation when these donors first came forward, and this was a project everyone got behind right away. We put a task team in place and got to work. The Fraser Valley Healthcare Foundation was a keen partner from day one, coming to the table early with both leadership and funds, because care closer to home matters to every community in the valley. Together, we raised $14 million for this MRI. That means shorter wait times and faster answers for patients and families across the region, and it means our care teams can do even more for the people they serve. This is what happens when partners work together. We are ready to get shovels in the ground.”