The Peace River Regional District has released its 2026 budget, which features a 2.79 per cent decrease compared to the previous year. As the district moves forward with this leaner budget, local leaders are prioritizing advocacy for health care improvements, specifically pushing the provincial government to resume a stalled long-term care project in the region.
The expansion of the Peace Villa long-term care facility in Fort St. John was originally planned to add 84 new beds and a 30-space adult day program, with a total estimated cost of $155 million. However, the province has paused this project, along with six others across British Columbia, citing construction costs that have reached as high as $1.8 million per bed. The Ministry of Infrastructure is currently reviewing the project to find more cost-effective building methods.
The need for these beds remains critical, as the current facility managed by Northern Health operates at full capacity. As of January, there were 74 people on the waiting list for a bed at Peace Villa, including 15 individuals currently waiting in the hospital.
To address these concerns, PRRD Board Chair Brad Sperling is set to attend approximately nine ministerial meetings in April 2026 as part of the annual Union of BC Municipalities follow-up process. These meetings will include discussions with the Premier and ministers responsible for areas such as health and infrastructure. In the meantime, the district is also looking to expand home-based support programs, such as the Seniors Aging in Place initiative, to help residents stay in their communities longer and reduce pressure on existing care facilities.
Separately, the Peace River Regional Hospital District has approved a $130.81 million budget for 2026. This figure is approximately $64.67 million lower than the previous year, a change attributed to the new Dawson Creek and District Hospital nearing completion.
