By David Wiwchar

$100,000 to bring proponents together

ACRD funds ‘Campus of Care’

Jan 30, 2026 | 9:17 AM

Community groups are converging to solve the family doctor shortage in the Alberni Valley, and the latest plan is a “Campus of Care”.

Community Futures, the Alberni Clayoquot Regional District, MLA Josie Osborne’s office and others envision a new clinic where doctors and nurses are provided office spaces to do what they’re trained to do, and not spend hours every day on billing and other bureaucratic tasks.

ACRD Chair John Jack says we have to be proactive in attracting medical professionals.

“We still have a billing system in paying for family doctors – they’re not on salary – they have to be business owners as well as be doctors and that’s dumb,” he said. “While we’re waiting for the province to fix the problem, people will die. We have to act because it’s the only way we’re going to be able to guarantee our communities access to doctors and medical services.”

Upwards of 25% of the Alberni Valley population does not have a family physician, and the situation is about to get worse as doctors and nurses retire.

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ACRD CAO Daniel Sailland says the Campus of Care model has been successful elsewhere.

“The overall model that we’re looking at here is something that Ontario has been doing for a very long time, where you’ve got a plug-and-play style of clinic, administration space is provided and the practising primary care professionals occupy an office and give upwards of 40% of their billing towards the medical office,” he said.

The ACRD voted to contribute $100,000 towards coordinating the many groups and governments working towards the recruitment and retention of medical professionals to the Alberni Valley.

Campus of Care proponants are currently looking at lands behind Staples at Pacific Rim Mall, and are organizing a public meeting for Sunday February 8th at 6pm at Capitol Theatre.