The Government of BC recently expanded the Provincial Rural Retention Initiative. While we commend this initiative's aim to retain nurses in rural areas, we express concern over the exclusion of other underserved communities in BC.

This exclusion raises significant concerns regarding the potential strain on healthcare resources in Prince George, including the University Hospital of Northern BC, which is already facing challenges in staffing with vacancy rates as high as 70% on some units. We recognize the unintended consequences that may arise from the uneven distribution of incentives, leading to workforce churn and instability in crucial healthcare facilities.

By signing below, we affirm our commitment to advocating for the creation of a targeted retention incentive for Prince George. Furthermore, we acknowledge the current situation may prompt healthcare professionals to seek opportunities in neighbouring communities eligible for the various incentives.

We respectfully urge the Government of BC to consider a targeted retention incentive for Prince George.