In Kitimat British Columbia the local hospital recently has been forced to close its doors in order to keep Terrace hospital open. Leaving locals reliant on healthcare located 45 minutes away with only one ambulance as we’ve been forced to also lend Terrace our ambulance as well. Whilst I understand health care workers are becoming fewer and farther between I also recognize that kitimat with its workforce predominantly employed in industrial labour has a large risk factor for dangerous accidents. We also have a huge outdoor community and let’s face it, accidents happen. 

Ultimately I know that what is required in this situation is more health care workers, and in order for that to happen we as a people need to stand up and unite together in order to enact these changes to keep both hospitals operating at a healthy level. We need to offer either competitive wages, if not better wages in order to get more health care workers employed or we need to as a community find a better option such as hiring travelling nurses. 

Now is the time to enact this change because we have retirees who rely on the healthcare in Kitimat, but also there are accidents everyday that end up requiring our emergency department to help us every day in kitimat, I have received excellent care there from my own experience and am extremely grateful for their care! So please sign this form and reach out to your city counsellors personally and express your concern about this issue!

Also- feel free to contact Johnathon Cooper at Northern Health about it if you are concerned! His number is 250 641 1212