Submitted/Harwinder Sandhu

By Vernon Matters Staff

Healthcare progress

MLA Sandhu: Strengthening B.C.’s healthcare together

Jul 18, 2025 | 4:42 PM

Vernon-Lumby MLA Harwinder Sandhu says B.C. is making meaningful progress in improving access to healthcare, but acknowledges the system remains under strain.

“B.C. is a great place to work, play, raise a family, and be with loved ones. But like many other places in the world, we’ve been experiencing strains on our healthcare system,” Sandhu said in her latest newsletter. “I know this well from hearing from my constituents who need a primary care practitioner or are waiting to have care needs addressed.”

Sandhu points to recent government efforts to attract international healthcare professionals, especially from the United States, as a key part of addressing shortages.

“These actions have been working – just in May and June alone, we had close to 800 U.S doctors, nurse practitioners, and healthcare professionals apply to come to B.C., and over 2250 express interest in learning more,” she wrote.

Along with targeted recruitment, Sandhu notes that work is ongoing to streamline the recognition of foreign credentials, enabling qualified professionals to start work sooner. Meanwhile, the province is continuing to grow its local healthcare workforce, including plans for a new medical school at SFU’s Surrey campus.

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Sandhu says the combined efforts are aimed at ensuring British Columbians can access care when they need it, without facing crushing financial costs.