BC Gov News
As part of the Cooperation and Responsible Government Accord 2025 (CARGA), the Province and BC Green Caucus are releasing the second of two reports highlighting shared findings and recommendations to strengthen primary care throughout British Columbia.
“Our focus is on making it easier for people to get the care they need, when they need it and close to home,” said Josie Osborne, Minister of Health. “This report helps us better understand the challenges people are facing and how community-led clinics and community health centres can play a stronger role in improving access to care for patients and families across the province.”
The second report highlights feedback shared by partners during engagement sessions led by the Ministry of Health and the British Columbia Association of Community Health Centres. The report details challenges that affect the expansion and effectiveness of primary care in B.C., particularly community health centres (CHCs).
Key challenges include health human resources shortages, infrastructure support, particularly in rural and remote communities, and a more sustainable model. Partners also emphasized that better integration between CHCs and the broader primary care networks would improve public awareness, access and co-ordination.
“The primary care system needs to be reliable and accessible for people around B.C.,” said Stephanie Higginson, parliamentary secretary for primary care access. “This report provides invaluable insight in helping our government continue to build sustainable primary care services for all British Columbians, and I look forward to working with our partners on implementing the suggestions.”
The second report outlines evidence-informed recommendations for the Province’s approach to primary care and reinforces the value of the CHC model. It also addresses the need for operational stabilization across CHCs and other community-led models.
“The BC Greens have long championed community health care centres as a well-rounded model that serves British Columbians, while easing strain on our health-care system. I’m pleased to see this report highlight the urgent need for additional support to establish more and strengthen current centres,” said Jeremy Valeriote, MLA for West Vancouver-Sea to Sky. “These recommendations would ensure B.C.’s most under-served communities have access to the health care they need and benefit from strong and stable primary care delivery in the province.”
Key findings from the report suggest efforts should focus on advancing health equity by establishing a solid foundation of existing facilities before further expansion of new CHCs. Developing community-led and local approaches were identified as ways to improve access and build appropriate primary care supports that best reflect community need.
The Ministry of Health is analyzing and working to implement the opportunities identified in the report. Since April 1, 2025, there have been more than 85,000 visits to B.C.’s 14 CHCs.
Quick Facts:
- The assessment consisted of a series of primary care partner-engagement sessions focused on addressing barriers and challenges of the CHC and community-led models of care in B.C.’s primary care system.
- A CHC focuses on creating access for people to services that include social dimensions of community-led and culturally safe health supports.
- The first report, released in August 2025, provided an overview of investments in B.C.’s primary care system since the launch of the Primary Care Strategy in 2018 and highlighted significant actions taken to expand primary care capacity and accessibility.
- To support the continued implementation of B.C.’s Primary Care Strategy initiatives, including primary care networks, urgent and primary care centres, CHCs, First Nations-led primary care centres, nurse practitioner-led primary care clinics, Foundry and family physician- and nurse practitioner-led clinics, the Province has committed more than $672 million for 2025-26.
- This builds on the $579-million investment made in 2024-25.
Learn More:
To read the second report, visit:
https://news.gov.bc.ca/files/Strengthening_Primary_Care_Report2.pdf
To read the first report, visit:
https://news.gov.bc.ca/files/CARGAPrimaryCareReport1.pdf
To learn more about the agreement with BC Greens, visit:
https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2024PREM0075-001656
To read the terms of reference for the primary-care assessment, visit:
https://news.gov.bc.ca/files/Terms_Of_Reference_CARGA_Report.pdf
To learn more about the Province’s Primary Care Strategy, visit:
https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2018PREM0034-001010