AS Premier David Eby broke ground on a second Surrey Hospital on Tuesday, the NDP slammed BC United Leader Kevin Falcon for having called the project “surplus” as he sold off the property that was designated for it.

In 2012 as Minister of Finance, Falcon used his budget speech to announce the sale of the hospital land, claiming a second hospital wouldn’t be necessary after renovations to Surrey Memorial.

He said: “With the almost $600-million expansion of Surrey Memorial Hospital now underway at its current location, the land is surplus. So, rather than letting it sit there costing taxpayers money, we intend to sell it and let the private sector use it.” (Video of Falcon’s comments is available here.)

“Only Kevin Falcon thought Surrey wouldn’t need another hospital as we grew rapidly,” said NDP MLA Mike Starchuk. “His choice to cancel the hospital has directly contributed to the healthcare challenges in Surrey today.”

The NDP said that unlike Falcon, Eby and their party have chosen to build both a new Surrey Hospital and a much-needed expansion at Surrey Memorial.

“We don’t believe the people of Surrey should have to choose between a new hospital and expanding Surrey Memorial,” said Starchuk. “Our community deserves both, and David Eby and our team are committed to getting it done.”

FALCON hit back, tweeting: “So here we are, an NDP announcement of a re-announcement except this time the Surrey Hospital project is already more than $1B over budget & years behind schedule. So disappointing. Eby & the NDP continue to fail residents of Surrey. Surrey deserves so much better.”