Ladysmith-Oceanside candidates tackle healthcare, drug toxicity and representation issues

Walker said NRGH is woefully inadequate for its current demand, with upwards of 60 patients being treated at any given time in storage rooms or in hallways because there are no rooms for them.

He criticized the NDP, a party he represented in the 2020 election for the Parksville-Qualicum riding, for not pushing forward fast enough.

“The biggest barrier I see to getting things done is party politics. We have a government right now that has a health plan for this area that was approved in 2019, and instead of admitting it’s a failure and the number of people waiting for a doctor has doubled, we just watch that wait list get bigger and bigger.”

Walker added the central Island has been “forgotten by government” on issues ranging from ferries to healthcare, leading to significant challenges.

Implementation of a catheratization lab at NRGH, to handle cardiac care, has been a long-time ask from residents and healthcare professionals.

To date, no promises have been made regarding one being developed locally.

“I’ve been working with a constituent in this community who has identified a company in the States who can bring up a heart catheterization mobile lab to this hospital within three months,” Walker said.

He said the lab would cost $75,000 per month.

Higginson countered Walker by pointing to what she labeled “generational investments” in local healthcare, specifically to units at NRGH.

“We have put in a new ICU, we’re building a new high acuity wing, we’re building a new cancer care centre and when we putting in all this infrastructure there was a very clear recognition that when you put that infrastructure in, you also need to improve the patient tower, which we’ve done.”

An hour before the debate, BC NDP leader David Eby announced a re-elected NDP government would push forward on a new patient tower at NRGH, expanding capacity and modernizing the hospital.

A standing room only crowd of over 200 people filled a Parksvillle ballroom to hear a pair of canadidates hoping to be the next MLA for the redrawn Ladysmith-Oceanside riding. (submitted photo/Rebecca Taylor)

Representing the riding
An audible chuckle arose from those in attendance Thursday night when the topic of geography was raised in relation to the awkwardly configured riding.

Ladysmith-Oceanside covers residents from Qualicum Beach, Parksville, Nanoose Bay, Nanaimo Lakes, Cassidy, Yellow Point, Ladysmith and Saltair.

It effectively encircles Nanaimo and offers a potential logistical challenge for a would-be MLA on ensuring residents have easy access to their representative.

Higginson said she would advocate for two offices, one in Oceanside and another in Ladysmith.

“I think it’s the only way that you can only that you can actually properly meet with and represent this very strange riding that we all have. We are three communities that have, on a regular basis, felt annoyed that we were lumped in with Nanaimo and felt like Nanaimo hogged all of our air.”

She added it would also not be beneficial to have all staff located in the riding, as she sees value in a strong presence in Victoria.

“It would not benefit this community having all of your staff up here. Part of being part of a party is that you pool your resources and you have staff in Victoria that work…with policy makers, with the decision makers in committee…and with the staff that can work on producing reports for you.”

Walker said when he became an independent in September 2023, his staffing budget doubled, going from two staff members to six.

“One of the things I see as a strength that I can offer to this constituency is that I’ll be able to have an office both in Qualicum Beach and Ladysmith that’s open full time, that’s got hours that are extended to the point where people can actually feel served.”

He said maintaining two constituency offices is “very difficult with a regular budget” which largely affords room for just two riding staff.

Drug toxicity and mental health
Both candidates said the toxic drug crisis and mental health challenges were among the most difficult issues facing the riding.

Walker supports increased locally available resources.

“We are losing far too many people in our communities right now because of the toxic drug crisis. We need to ensure there is on demand treatment…when somebody says ‘I need help’, that they get that help.”

He added he’d also advocate for expanded involuntary care options, telling a story of one local resident who went through the courts to have their son detained.

“He was admitted to Nanaimo Regional General Hospital, and the team there was amazing. But less than 24 hours later, he was discharged in a hospital gown and left with no follow up plan. The challenge we have is not that the legislation is broken, the challenge is that we have inadequate facilities to look after people that need help.”

Higginson largely echoed Walker’s calls for more resources, both centralized and in-community.

She touted investments made by the NDP, highlight a recent push towards long-called-for involuntary treatment beds, which are slated to come first to Surrey and Maple Ridge.

“We’re seeing the impacts everywhere, this is our family, our neighbours and we have to keep on the plan. We are starting to see results of that as we’re introducing more and more in community treatment beds and we’ve just introduced a plan to have in community involuntary care beds that will actually be really beneficial to the other treatment issues that we’re facing.”

E&N Rail Line
Both Higginson and Walker provided their vision for both the Island Rail Corridor, and BC Ferries.

Higginson said the BC NDP would look to “find best use” for the rail corridor lands, noting there were a lot of options on the table ranging from active transportation to a return of passenger rail service.

She said it was important the province gains control over the lands, “while respecting the four per cent of the segments through First Nations lands for future partnerships.”

Walker said the future of the line is vastly different now than it was a few years ago.

Eleven acres of land in Snaw-Naw-As territory was returned in March 2023, with Walker saying the tracks were later pulled up by the First Nation.

He said he wants to see more active transportation along the line, and eventually an ownership split with First Nations.

Audience Reception
A largely positive audience broke into small applause breaks on roughly half a dozen occasions, not overly favouring one candidate or another.

Several stayed after the event to chat 1-on-1 with Higginson and Walker.

Debates hosted by the NRHD for Nanaimo-Gabriola and Nanaimo-Lantzville ridings are scheduled for the first week of October.

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by Alex Rawnsley

Ladysmith-Oceanside candidates tackle healthcare, drug toxicity and representation issues

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