THE BC Liberals on Thursday announced their plan to fund the building of a new Surrey Hospital, committing $300 million to the project – a commitment they said that the NDP failed to fulfill, despite their repeated fanfare, promises, and reannouncements.

“This is a project that is desperately needed in our community and I know that the BC Liberals are serious about getting this hospital built for the city of Surrey, committing $300 million as part of our $8 billion Rebuild B.C. plan,” said Stephanie Cadieux, BC Liberal candidate for Surrey South. “The NDP have been promising this hospital to Surrey residents through two elections now and have never committed money towards it in a single one of their budgets or election platform. It is clear that they are willing to use it to score cheap political points, with no intention of getting it built anytime soon.”

Surrey is the largest city in Metro Vancouver by area and second most populated. With a rapidly growing population of more than 517,000 residents, there is a significant need to increase healthcare capacity in the region, to serve the current needs of the population and accommodate future growth.

“The people of Surrey have needed this hospital for years and it has been frustrating to watch the project be delayed by John Horgan and the NDP,” added Dr. Gulzar Cheema, BC Liberal candidate for Surrey-Panorama. “Now, more than ever, we can see clearly the importance of supporting our healthcare system, and I am proud to be running for a party that will not just announce a new Surrey Hospital, but commit the funds needed to get it built.”

The BC Liberals said they have an established track record of getting projects built for the benefit of Surrey residents, including The Guru Nanak Emergency Services Department at Surrey Memorial Hospital ($512 million), the Jim Pattison Outpatient Clinic ($237 million), and the South Fraser Perimeter Road ($899 million).