qathet, BC – At the March 25, 2025 qathet Regional Hospital District (qRHD) Board Meeting, the qRHD Board adopted the 2025 Budget and 2025-2029 Financial Plan.

Highlights of the 2025 budget include:

• The ongoing pay down of the debt for the Willingdon Creek Village Complex Care Facility which is set to be fully paid out in 2034.
• A contribution to reserves to fund the region’s local contribution toward the cost of constructing or renovating healthcare facilities and toward major equipment purchases.

About the qathet Regional Hospital District: The qathet Regional Hospital District (qRHD) plays a vital role in funding the development and improvement of healthcare facilities within the qathet Regional District and Tla’amin Nation. Established under the Hospital District Act, qRHD provides financial support for the construction, renovation, and expansion of hospitals and long-term care facilities.

Governed by a Board that includes members from both the qathet Regional District and Tla’amin Nation, qRHD ensures local representation in healthcare funding decisions. The district works in partnership with Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) to invest in critical healthcare infrastructure and medical equipment, helping to enhance healthcare services and support the well-being of residents across the region.

The qathet Regional Hospital District does not operate hospital facilities but does contribute to health services in our region. The qathet Regional Hospital District owns Willingdon Creek Village Complex Care Facility and the former Saint John’s Ambulance building on Arbutus Street, which is currently leased to Miklat Recovery Society. The qathet Regional Hospital District has provided hospital district lands to support the development of emergency supportive housing and designated the remainder of undeveloped campus of care lands for future health care needs. For more information on the qathet Regional Hospital District, please visit qathet.ca/regional-hospital-district.

Contributions to the qRHD are collected annually through property taxes in each of the five Electoral Areas, and the City of Powell River. Funding is also provided by the Tla’amin Nation. These taxes are utilized to support and expand health care resources throughout the region.

“Through the newly established VCH and qRHD Working Group, maintaining a strong working relationship between the qRHD and VCH is essential to ensuring that healthcare investments in our region are planned responsibly and sustainably. Through the VCH and qRHD Working Group, we are committed to ongoing collaboration that allows funding requests to be brought forward in a way that supports long-term financial planning. Our goal is to ensure that healthcare improvements meet community needs while keeping taxation impacts on residents as minimal as possible. By working together, we can continue to strengthen healthcare services for the region now and into the future.” qathet Regional Hospital District Board Chair, Mark Gisborne.

CONTACT:

Linda Greenan, General Manager of Financial Administration – Chief Financial Officer

#202 – 4675 Marine Avenue, Powell River, BC  V8A 2L2

(604) 485-2260 | finance@qathet.ca |qathet.ca