PREMIER John Horgan and the BC NDP will keep British Columbia moving forward by building on the progress already made in improving health care for people, the NDP said on Tuesday.

A re-elected BC NDP government will build 10 more urgent and primary care centres by the end of 2021, with a focus on the communities that need them most. Horgan made the commitment alongside North Vancouver-Lonsdale BC NDP candidate Bowinn Ma, a strong advocate for the North Shore Urgent and Primary Care Centre.

“People want to be able to get the health care they need closer to home, without waiting for hours in an emergency room,” said Horgan. “Our plan means building UPCCs in every community that needs one, so we can keep moving B.C. forward – for all of us.”

North Shore is one of 21 UPCCs opened or under construction by the BC NDP government. These centres will include 1,300 new doctors, nurses and other health care workers. So far, UPCCs have helped more than 300,000 people.

“I’m proud of what a BC NDP government has accomplished for people in North Vancouver-Lonsdale, but there’s much more to do,” said Ma. “The BC Liberals’ plan would help the wealthy and well-connected, while everyday people pay for it with cuts to things we all count on, like health care. We can’t afford that.”

The BC NDP plan to deliver better care for people also includes hiring 7,000 more health care workers. Horgan will continue putting people first by supporting businesses and communities, helping people get back to work, and building a recovery that works for everyone – not just those at the very top, the NDP said.