Premier David Eby delivered some good news to paramedics stationed in Grand Forks on Monday afternoon, letting them know a new station is being planned with input from members on how to make it a better and safer workplace.
He announced in the Boundary Hospital’s ambulance station that after months of consultations with MLA Roly Russell and the Ministry of Health, the provincial government is starting a design process with paramedics and BC Emergency Health Services to create a better equipped and modern ambulance station for Grand Forks.
While an exact design is still in the works, Eby said it will have space for two more ambulances and meet the needs of paramedic crews, which he explained he was in Grand Forks to see for himself and talk to paramedics about what they need.
Russell and Eby took a tour of the basement facility, currently home to two parking bays, supply rooms, offices and one small quiet room for paramedics to use to sleep during shifts.
“We’ve started the design and construction tendering process and the goal is to have it completed by the spring of 2026,” he said. “So we are here to make sure we are meeting your needs as best we can.”
There was no budget attached, Eby said, because that will depend on the tendering and design process. It will then be put up for bid on the province’s website.
He added there are “significant” pressures on construction costs, but stressed the province wants the city to have a quality ambulance station looking after the community.
“I’ve heard many personal stories from paramedics on the challenges of health care, which is why it's been so important for us to support the paramedics in the province,” Eby said.
“We want to make sure the equipment is there and the staff levels are there. One thing I’ve heard in my brief time here is the infrastructure hasn’t kept up. Sadly, the state of ambulance care in Grand Forks is not unique. We are living on our grandparent’s health infrastructure, which is why we have been investing so much time and funding into upgrading the infrastructure and health care across the province.”
Part of that has been more investment in rural paramedic recruitment and hiring, said Russell, who added a new station is critical to keep paramedics working in Grand Forks.
“We looked at rural and remote health care professionals and they have been underfunded for years, so we’ve taken action,” he said. “It's great to be here and see we are bringing back more rural paramedics, but now they need their station upgraded because they have too many people for the space. It’s a good problem to have, especially in light of investment announcements like this one. It’s great to see the government also stepping up to make sure their conditions are improved.”
That visit and announcement included talking to paramedics about their experiences and issues they were having with the current facility. Among the issues he was shown and told about were poor ventilation, cramped work and personal spaces, leaking pipes, asbestos in the ceilings and contamination of equipment from being left out in the elements. In the summer it’s sweltering and in the winter there are slip hazards, as well as ice and snow falling from the hospital roof.
Paramedics stressed while a lot of good has been happening with rural health care, like more recruitment, retention is an issue in smaller communities like theirs because of the outdated and cramped conditions. Some members, who asked not to be named in the media and referred questions to BCEHS, said they’ve had trouble keeping people because they either go to other communities, or find jobs in other sectors.
The visit also included a walk downtown for Eby and Russell to talk with residents and local businesses to speak to them directly on positives and challenges.
